Austrian Grand Prix: Changes to the track and overtaking zones

      On the eve of the Austrian Grand Prix, the FIA announced changes to the track and confirmed the locations of the activation zones for the Overtake Mode (OT) and SM (Straight Mode) zones. Compared to last year, there have been numerous changes in Spielberg:

      The previously open exit to the track at the first corner on the right side is closed;

      New barriers have been installed between the 1st and 2nd corners on both the left and right sides to protect the advertising bridge;

      The barrier on the shortcut between the 2nd and 7th corners has been moved to a safer position;

      An additional row of tire barriers (double) and Tecpro barriers has been added on the right side in the 2nd corner;

      The line of protective elements on the right side in the 4th corner has been extended;

      An exit for returning to the track has been added in the area of the 9th corner;

      The section between the 9th and 10th corners on the right side off the track has become smoother;

      The pit wall has been extended at the beginning of the start-finish straight, and the traffic light for exiting the pits and the speed limit sign have been moved 50 meters forward;

      Four new garages have been built at the end of the pit lane closer to the entrance to the pits. As a result, the speed control line at the entrance to the pits has been shifted 140 meters earlier;

      A new medical center has been built with a new helicopter pad on the roof of the building behind it;

      The pit wall has been rebuilt opposite the new garages;

      Open areas in the pit lane gate zone have been marked with orange paint;

      Separate sections of the working area of the pit lane have been leveled to eliminate unevenness;

      A blue line has been added outside the white line in the entrance zone of the 1st corner and the exit from the 8th;

      A new advertising structure has been installed above the track between the 1st and 2nd corners;

      The steel barrier on the right side at the exit of the 1st corner has been extended to the edge of the connecting path;

      A new Geobrugg barrier has been installed on the right side between the 8th and 9th corners;

      At the exit of the 9th corner, behind the gravel trap, a new section of asphalt has been laid to facilitate the return to the track for cars that have gone off the track.

      There is one overtaking mode zone on the Austrian track. The detection point of this zone is located 50 meters before the 10th corner. Being within one second behind an opponent's car at the measurement point, the driver will be able to activate the overtaking mode, receiving an additional 0.5 MJ of electrical energy. The activation point for the overtaking mode is 110 meters after the 10th corner.

      The SM zones are divided into two subsections – zones where active aerodynamics is used under normal tire grip conditions (the rear and front wings can be opened) and under reduced grip conditions (on a wet track, only the front wing can be opened).

      Under normal grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 110 meters after the 10th corner, 110 meters after the 1st, 90 meters after the 3rd, and 10 meters after the 8th.

      Under reduced grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 160 meters after the 10th corner, 170 meters after the 1st, 160 meters after the 3rd, and 60 meters after the 8th.