The 2015 GP2 Series heads to the Red Bull Ring in Austria this weekend for its fourth round. Fresh from competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Kiwi drivers Richie Stanaway and Mitch Evans will be seeking more points.
“I really enjoy this track,” said Evans. “It’s very short and it reminds me of the tracks I am used to from New Zealand. Normally qualifying is very tight. There’s not much run off so there’s not much room for error which I like.”
Evans is currently fourth in the drivers Points Standings while Stanaway is ninth and heads to Austria with confidence having won the last GP2 race at Monaco.
Drivers will compete in two races over the weekend in support of the Austria F1 Grand Prix. Saturday sees a 40 lap Feature Race round the 4.326 km circuit. On Sunday there will be a shorter 28 lap Sprint Race.
“You don’t really see on TV how much of a climb up there is from turn 1 to turn 2,” commented Evans. “The second to last corner is very interesting and very challenging. It’s probably the fastest corner of the track. Then the last corner has got a big drop in the middle by the apex which is quite different. “
“Last year, it was possible to overtake into turns 1, 2 and 3. You can definitely make some moves there. The tyre degradation is quite low. The track is smooth and it’s not overly-demanding on the tyres. It’s quite easy to keep the tyres in good conditions. I’m looking forward to it after a bad few races and hopefully we can be strong.”
Since the start of the 2015 season, one man has dominated the rest of the pack: Stoffel Vandoorne in his second year of GP2 seems to be unbeatable. With two pole positions, three feature race wins, two podium finishes in sprint race, two fastest laps and fifty-nine laps led, the man from ART Grand Prix has scored in every single race so far.
His closest rival however has been looking mighty strong too: Alexander Rossi may still be chasing after a first win this year, but he’s already pocketed three rostrums and a blazing pole position in Monte Carlo. Both men will be everyone else’s main targets this weekend as the GP2 paddock returns to the Red Bull Ring for the fourth round of the season.
Media: Benjamin Carrell
Comments