Formula 1 engines will not suffer altitude-related power loss at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Ring, situated roughly 700 metres above sea level, would cause naturally aspirated engines to lose around seven per cent of their power output, with power decreasing approximately one per cent per 100 metres.
But the sport’s new turbocharged power units pressure the ambient air to the same level inside the turbocharger and compressor, meaning that there will always be the same amount of oxygen in the air inside the engine.
This will, however, put increased strain on the three engine manufacturers, with the turbo spinning faster.