Armstrong: ‘Decent slipstream and clean run’ key to maximising Spielberg Qualifying potential

8 July 2022

One of two drivers to have previously taken home silverware at Spielberg, Marcus Armstrong says he and his Hitech Grand Prix team have got plenty of potential to show this weekend.

Getting Round 8 off to a good start, the New Zealander finished the session in fourth, having topped the timing sheets during various points in the 45-minute session. Pleased to be back at the Red Bull Ring, Armstrong’s happy with his pace but noted that he’ll need to prepare for the switch in tyres.

The medium tyres used in Practice will be swapped out, as a set of purple supersofts will be bolted on for Qualifying and although there was rain earlier in the day, he’s not expecting much to change compared to the track conditions he experienced earlier on.

“I like this place, I always have. It's a cool track. In saying that, it's Free Practice and everyone is just doing their own thing. Still, I think the potential is there. We’re fast, the car feels good, so Qualifying will be interesting.”

“I think that this track doesn't evolve massively unlike other circuits. Now that I've said that it probably will. We have two steps softer in our tyre compound, so that'll be the main difference. The temperature is rising as well, so I think we’ll just adapt to everything, to the conditions and do our best this afternoon.”

Armstrong’s hungry for victory at the familiar Austrian track and having not finished within a Feature Race top five this season, he’ll have lots to do in Qualifying in order to put his best foot forward. That could be easier said than done as several drivers appear to be at home on the track, particularly Jake Hughes, who finished over half a second clear of the Hitech driver.

“Well, I want to win every race! This weekend is no different. We’ll just try to nail Qualifying this afternoon. It’s going to be very close, as you saw in Free Practice, everyone was within two-tenths. A decent slipstream and a clean run are key, no one blocking you or anything and then driving well.”