Nestled in the Styrian mountains of Austria, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is one of the most iconic circuits on the racing calendar. With a rich history dating back to the 1960s, the track today plays host to a full roster of motorsport talent, including Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, and the Porsche Supercup. The weekend began on Thursday with various media duties for the drivers, but it was the weather that made headlines. Temperatures soared to an intense 36–37°C, only for a dramatic hailstorm with golf ball-sized hailstones to hit the paddock later in the afternoon—an extreme and unexpected twist to kick off the race weekend.
Friday – Qualifying Results Set the Stage
Friday’s qualifying sessions brought mixed results for AIX Racing. In Formula 2, Joshua Duerksen secured P8, while Cian Shields placed P22. Due to a penalty for a driver ahead, Duerksen was promoted to a front-row start for Saturday’s Sprint Race, lining up in P2.
In Formula 3, Brad Benavides delivered a standout performance, taking an impressive P2 on the grid—his best qualifying result of the season so far and a clear demonstration of his pace and potential. James Hedley and Nicola Marinangeli, however, faced challenges in qualifying and ended up in P27 and P28 respectively.
Saturday – Sprint Race Drama and Near Glory
Saturday’s Sprint Race in Formula 2 saw Joshua Duerksen off to a lightning-fast start, overtaking for the lead in Turn 1. A heavy crash in the third lap brought out the red flag, but thankfully, all drivers walked away unharmed—another reminder of the life-saving importance of the halo system. Duerksen ultimately secured a strong P2 finish, while Cian Shields worked his way up to P12.
In Formula 3, the team had a more difficult day. Brad Benavides was running well within the points when a collision forced him to retire. James Hedley was disqualified, and Nicola Marinangeli crossed the line in P19.
Sunday – Feature Race Challenges
Sunday’s Feature Races brought further challenges for AIX Racing. In F2, Joshua Duerksen finished P13, while Cian Shields retired from the race. In F3, Brad Benavides salvaged a few points with a P9 finish, but for James Hedley (P26) and Nicola Marinangeli (P25), it was a tough race to the flag.
Looking Ahead – Silverstone Awaits
With the demanding Spielberg–Silverstone double-header now halfway complete, AIX Racing turns its focus to the next chapter at Silverstone, one of the most historic and high-speed circuits on the calendar.
Team Manager of the Formula 2 squad, Bob Vavrik, summed up the weekend:
“Both teams managed to translate their underlying speed into qualifying results. It’s another step forward that we will now build on to achieve even better outcomes.”
Stay tuned as AIX Racing continues to fight for every point in this thrilling Formula 2 and Formula 3 season.
