Six things you need to know: Austrian GP

A fortnight on from the last grand prix, Formula One has returned to Europe and the venue for TG's epic Speed Week 2015, which featured two-and-a-half million quids worth of noise and horsepower. And that's before you factor in Spielberg's attack chopper.

Click here to read more about Top Gear's Speed Week 2015

The Red Bull Ring is similar to Canada with heavy braking zones and long straights, though ‘Lift and Coast' should be less of a feature with only nine corners to negotiate along F1's shortest lap time.

Nico Rosberg claimed the chequered flag after Felipe Massa took pole in qualifying last year, although it's unlikely that Williams will be able to do the same again twelve months on.

Some analysts believe that Ferrari will be a lot closer to Mercedes than they were two weeks ago, and times set in free practice suggest that it might well be the case...

Words: Joe Holding

The Force India driver arrived in Spielberg with a smile to rival Daniel Ricciardo's this week having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Porsche teammates Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy last weekend.

The German is the first driver to win the endurance race whilst competing in F1 since Johnny Herbert in 1991.

His victory has sparked interest in the prospect of other F1 drivers switching to the LMP1 class, with Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Pastor Maldonado among the names who said they'd be open to it at some stage.

Felipe Massa has ruled out combining disciplines in the same season though, saying he'd "need to concentrate 100 per cent" on one drive at a time.

The World Champion gets plenty of stick for his fashion choices beyond the race track, but many people forget that his sartorial freedom is part of the reason he's so fast.

"When I got to F1 with McLaren, I was made to fit a square box," writes Lewis in his BBC Sport column. "You can't show your personality, show any character. You can't do this, you can't do that.

"Once I got to Mercedes and really got my feet dug into F1, I felt like I could start coming out of my shell little by little over time."

A relaxed, liberated Hamilton has built a great working relationship with his team, and looks on course for a third world title. If he delivers, who's to judge?

That's how it seems, anyway.

Owner Dietrich Mateschitz has given his clearest indication yet that he will pull his team out of the sport if Renault can't provide them with a competitive engine.

The Austrian was incredibly honest when asked about Red Bull's future, saying: "Beside [sic] taking our time and money they have destroyed our enjoyment and motivation - because no driver and no chassis in this world can compensate for this horsepower deficit."

Putting the bleak reality to one side, it's difficult to see how such public criticism will motivate the engineers at the Renault factory. With "no alternative" to the French manufacturers, Red Bull certainly aren't making it easy for themselves...

Kimi has reacted irately to reports that he'd have to take a pay cut to stay with Ferrari next year, saying that the press has "no idea" what terms his contract contains.

"It's the [swearing] nonsense you guys come up with all the time," said the Finn in his typical manner. "I would be interested to know who writes it."

After apparently finding out who was behind the rumour, Kimi continued: "Have you seen my contract? So you just come up with [more swearing] - yes or no? You don't know the contract but you write stuff... that's not true.

"Maybe you should start writing some things that make sense."

If it was based on quotes like these, Raikkonen would be the most in-demand driver on the grid...

You read that correctly. Asked if he wanted teammate Fernando Alonso to beat him this weekend, Jenson replied: "In theory, yes. Strange to say, but yes."

The reason behind it is that McLaren have brought an upgrade to Spielberg, but only have the parts ready for one car. The Spaniard got dibs this week as he's due to take part in an in-season test after the race, while Button benefited from a similar situation in April.

Jenson wants to be soundly beaten to prove that the updates are making them quicker.

However any progress for his teammate could be hindered by a 20-place grid penalty, handed to Alonso after the former champ had a fifth engine, turbocharger and MGU-H added to his car.

The punishment will convert to a time penalty unless Fernando can drop the full number of places on the grid... which would mean qualifying on the front row.

Stranger things have happened. We think.