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Max Verstappen brings the thrill of F1 to Graz's iconic Schlossberg
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing have been putting the RB7 through its paces on the steep, cobbled streets of central Graz.
Max Verstappen turned the picture-perfect streets of Graz into a makeshift racetrack as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing announced their arrival in Austria for the team's home grand prix this weekend. Watch the best of the action in the video at the top of the page.
Behind the wheel of the RB7, Verstappen turned the usually peaceful streets into a roar of F1 as he tore up the iconic Schlossberg, the stunning tourist attraction which overlooks the rest of the city.
The team and spectators were treated to beautiful blue skies to the fortified hill in the home town of the team’s motorsport consultant Dr Helmut Marko.
Verstappen was joined on the day by Scuderia Toro Rosso duo Daniil Kvyat and Alexander Albon, who took in the city’s Karmeliterplatz before he got behind the wheel of the RB7, which Sebastian Vettel drove to the 2011 drivers’ title.
Check out the best photos from the Graz showrun below:
Max gets ready to put the RB7 through its paces
© Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
An unusual sight in central Graz
© Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
F1 above the town's rooftops
© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
The crowds had their cameras at the ready
© Lucas Pripfl/Red Bull Content Pool
Twenty-one-year-old Verstappen wasn't shy in showing off the power and volume of that season’s iconic V8 engine up the tree-covered hill as he passed the 16th-century Uhrturm clock on his way.
“This has never been done before and driving an F1 car up the side of a mountain is actually pretty cool," Verstappen said afterwards. "It was a short run but a lot of fun. Apart from driving in the snow in Kitzbühel, I would say this is one of the most challenging showruns I’ve done. Driving up a mountain road is very bumpy and the car touches the ground a lot, so you have to be really careful, but it all worked out well.”
He arrives for the race weekend with good memories, having been victorious at the Red Bull Ring a year ago and looking for a repeat in 2019. He added: “After winning last year’s race here, I think the sport has become even bigger in Austria. It’s great to see so many passionate fans here today, and hopefully we can give them a good weekend.”
