Since buying the defunct A1-Ring in 2004, Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz has ploughed a quarter of a billion euros into the Austrian grand prix, the local Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper claims.<\/p>\n
“Millions more of his personal fortune,” read the report, “he invested in local infrastructure, such as hotels.”<\/p>\n
While most have hailed the success of the impressive new ‘Red Bull Ring’, many say the traffic chaos so far this weekend has been a palpable downer.<\/p>\n
But FIA president Jean Todt insists: “You have to acknowledge what Dietrich Mateschitz has done (for the sport): two teams, a great track.<\/p>\n
“Because he’s a perfectionist, the Austrian grand prix will also be perfect,” he added.<\/p>\n
Even so, not everyone is magnanimous.\u00a0 Mercedes, whose bookings at a newly Mateschitz-owned local hotel were reportedly cancelled just a few weeks ago, is not exactly playing ball.<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have steadfastly refused to call the circuit in Spielberg by its official energy drink-sounding name.<\/p>\n
And Mercedes-Benz advertising hoardings near the Red Bull Ring feature the sole word ‘Heimspielberg’, meaning ‘Home-game Spielberg’ — undoubtedly a cheeky fly-in-the-ointment of Red Bull’s PR masterstroke.<\/p>\n
“That’s Mercedes’ style,” said a sardonic Dr Helmut Marko.<\/p>\n
Still, no amount of Red Bull-flavoured irritation looks enough to topple the apparent absolute dominance of the silver cars this weekend.<\/p>\n
Even Marko had to admit that the gap to Mercedes on Friday was “a shock”.<\/p>\n
He is hoping the warring Hamilton and Rosberg come to Red Bull’s aid.\u00a0 “Hamilton needs to attack,” said Marko, referring to the Briton’s 22-point championship deficit, “but Rosberg cannot ease back too much.<\/p>\n
“There is a certain urgency in the air,” Marko sensed.\u00a0 “At some point something will happen, and we need to be on the spot.”<\/p>\n
Until now, German Rosberg has appeared the cooler of the silver-clad pair, but – clearly the slower Mercedes on Friday – he appeared to briefly lose his calm on the radio on Friday.<\/p>\n
“I was cool as a cucumber — no tension,” he smiled.<\/p>\n
Hamilton, however, hopes his teammate and rival is in fact feeling the pinch — and the Briton is keen to add to the pressure if he can.<\/p>\n
“For sure hunting definitely brings out the better side (of me),” he told British television after dominating Friday practice in Austria.<\/p>\n
“When you’re in front you feel vulnerable and you’re open, any mistake you make you’re going to be caught up.\u00a0 So hopefully I can continue to apply that pressure,” he added.<\/p>\n
Hamilton said his aim is not only to end Rosberg’s new run of good form, but to utterly dominate the German — as per MotoGP’s new sensation, Marc Marquez.<\/p>\n
“I’ve just watched Marquez win seven in a row,” he said.\u00a0 “That’s inspired me.\u00a0 I thought, ‘Jesus, I’ve got to do that’.\u00a0 That’s my goal now.”<\/p>\n
Rosberg’s goal, of course, is exactly the opposite — and he is also not adverse to adding some psychological pepper to the battle.<\/p>\n
Asked about Hamilton’s reaction to losing, Rosberg told the Spanish newspaper AS on Friday: “Well, I don’t mind if he gets angry when I win.<\/p>\n
“It’s not pretty, honestly, but I’m very happy when I win, whether he is or not.\u00a0 (I mind) a little bit, but not much.”<\/p>\n
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