Armstrong's Guest Column: Textbook win but it could have been more

11 July 2022

Spielberg Sprint Race winner Marcus Armstrong is the latest to tackle our Guest Column this season.

The Hitech Grand Prix driver was candid in his expectations from the weekend, suggesting that a clean sweep might have been on the cards had luck gone his way.

GOOD POINT - SPRINT VICTORY

Race 1 - we proved that we could do a nice lights-to-flag victory, a textbook race without mistakes and a clean race. Whenever you’re starting on pole, you want the race to be as boring as possible and that’s exactly what happened. We all executed exactly how we intended which is a real positive.

ONE BAD POINT - QUALIFYING

Qualifying was bad for me. I made too many mistakes on my second run which is obviously when everyone does their best lap times. This is something I’ve been trying to improve but unfortunately. I didn’t nail it. Luckily it was in Austria but I think going forwards we will continue to improve but I just need to eliminate the mistakes on the lap and take the appropriate risks.

WHAT I LEARNED - VARIABLE CONDITIONS AND SURVIVAL

I learned just how much a track like the Red Bull Ring can dry up in the space of five minutes. The track changed completely from the reconnaissance laps to the formation lap. It dried incredibly quickly and that was quite a surprise. It was good for us because we took the risk but that was very surprising. A follow up of that – make it through lap one if you’re on the best strategy. Had I made it through Lap 1 of the Feature Race, it’s a possibility I’d have won both races this weekend so it’s a real shame.

FANS MIGHT HAVE MISSED - STOPPED BY OVERZEALOUS SECURITY

It’s funny how strict the security guards are at the Red Bull Ring. As I was walking back from the press conference, they didn’t allow me to come back into the paddock because I didn’t have my pass despite having my race suit on, carrying my trophy and a bottle of champagne having just won and come from the podium. That was quite a surprise. He really didn’t want to let me in.

UP NEXT - LE CASTELLET

Pretty bloody cool track Paul Ricard. Always action there. I hope track limits aren’t as strict as in Austria, that would be quite nice. I have good memories there from Formula 3, it’s a super cool place, nice weather and it’s gonna be cool. I’m looking forward to it.