FIA Formula 2 driver, Marino Sato, shares his views on the high-speed Spielberg circuit in Austria, describing how the Virtuosi car can handle a lot on the fast corners, due to the downforce.
Winning back-to-back races in the in 2017 Euroformula Open Championship, with Team Motopark, the Japanese driver is looking forward to returning to the Austrian mountains.
“In general it’s a fun track. And the amount of downforce we get on this car, it can handle a lot on the fast corners.
“It’s a high speed [track] and really depends on the aspects of the downforce level you have on the car.”
The challenges of the circuit means something different for each driver. And because of the track grip the Virtuosi enjoys, due to the downforce, the former Trident man can attack parts of the circuit with confidence.
“I found maybe a bit weird is when people are thinking more about the fast corners, when I think Turn 1 it’s a difficult point for me. You get a long run after that next hairpin and I think I’m more confident on the fast corners than on that kind of technical corner.”
Last time out at Silverstone, Sato retired in the Sprint Race, and finished 15th in Sunday’s Feature Race. He’ll be looking to get into the points this weekend, as he feels himself and the car are capable of being in the top half finishers.
To summarise his feelings about the weekend ahead at the Red Bull Ring, the Japanese driver concluded:
“I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s really fun.”
Image Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited
