Lexi Webster
The Austrian Grand Prix is a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile-sanctioned motor racing event held in Spielberg, Styria, Austria. The race takes place at the Red Bull Ring, previously known as the Österreichring and A1-Ring. The track is located about 75 km (46 miles) from the major city of Graz and 200 km (124 miles) from the capital, Vienna. The nearest airport with international connections is Graz Airport, but visitors may find cheaper flights to Vienna International Airport. The Red Bull Ring is known for its scenic location in the Styrian Mountains and is one of the most popular races on the Formula One calendar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria |
| Nearest town | Graz |
| Nearest city | Vienna |
| Airports | Vienna International Airport, Graz Airport, Salzburg Airport |
| Train stations | Knittelfeld station |
| Previous names | Österreichring, A1-Ring |
| Year of first appearance on F1 calendar | 1969 |
| Years held | 1964, 1970-1987, 1997-2003, 2014-present |
| Year of most recent race | 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
The Red Bull Ring
In 2004, the circuit was sold to Dietrich Mateschitz of Red Bull, and the grandstands and pit buildings were demolished. Red Bull began a €70 million reconstruction of the track in 2008, and it was reopened and renamed the Red Bull Ring on 15 May 2011. Formula One returned to the circuit in 2014, and MotoGP in 2016. The Red Bull Ring is now the host of the Austrian Grand Prix and has become one of the most popular, atmospheric, and colourful races of the year.
The Red Bull Grandstand is the largest grandstand on the track, with 15 sections spanning from the exit of Turn 1 to the uphill climb into Turn 3. The views are fantastic, and the undulating nature of the circuit allows spectators to see the cars go through Turns 6 and 7 as well. The T3 Grandstand is one of the newer grandstands and offers a panoramic view of the circuit.
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Zeltweg Air Base
The Zeltweg Air Base is located in southeastern Austria, about 70 km (43 mi) west of Graz. The base was the original location of the Austrian Grand Prix, hosting the race for six years before a permanent track was built in neighbouring Spielberg, about 4 km away. The first race at the Zeltweg Air Base was held in 1963 as a non-championship event, and it was won by Australian Jack Brabham. The following year, in 1964, the first championship event took place, with Italian Lorenzo Bandini winning his only Formula One championship race in a Ferrari.
The Zeltweg Air Base circuit was known for its narrow and bumpy track, which was deemed too dangerous for racing. Spectators also complained about poor viewing areas. Despite these challenges, the race was a success, and it continued to be held at the Air Base until 1969 when the Österreichring (literally translated as "Austria circuit") was built nearby. The new track was located in the scenic Styrian mountains and offered a fast, flowing track with high-speed corners.
The Zeltweg Air Base has a rich history in motorsport, and it still holds the record for the fastest official race lap record at 1:04.820, set by Jo Siffert in a Porsche 908 during the 1968 Zeltweg 500 Kilometres. Today, the Austrian Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring (formerly known as the Österreichring and A1-Ring), which is located about 5 kilometres from Spielberg and approximately 75 kilometres from the city of Graz. The track is known for its short lap times and high-speed nature, making it a favourite among drivers and fans alike.
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Österreichring
The Österreichring, now known as the Red Bull Ring, is a racing circuit in Austria that has hosted the Austrian Grand Prix multiple times. The track is located near the town of Spielberg in Austria's Styria region, approximately 75km or 46 miles from the major city of Graz. The circuit is nestled in the scenic Styrian mountains, providing a dramatic backdrop for racing events.
The Österreichring was originally constructed in 1969 and was known as the A1-Ring after a sponsor. The track has undergone several name changes throughout its history, reflecting different sponsorship arrangements. It was initially built as a permanent track for the Austrian Grand Prix, which had previously been held at the Zeltweg Air Base.
The racing circuit is renowned for its high-speed nature, offering numerous overtaking opportunities for drivers. The track features long, sweeping corners and is known for its short lap times compared to other circuits on the Formula One calendar. The combination of high-speed corners and short lap times makes the Österreichring a favourite among drivers and fans alike.
The remote location of the circuit contributes to its unique charm. Many fans opt to camp during the race weekend, creating a festival-like atmosphere. The Red Bull Ring is accessible via various transportation options, including driving, flying, and taking the train. The nearest airports are located in Graz, Vienna, and Salzburg, with Vienna offering the most direct flights from major international cities. Additionally, a shuttle bus service is provided during the Grand Prix weekend, connecting Knittelfeld station to the circuit.
The grandstands at the Österreichring offer spectators a range of viewing experiences. The Red Bull Grandstand, the largest at the track, spans from the exit of Turn 1 to the uphill climb into Turn 3, providing downhill views of the cars exiting the first corner. The Steiermark Grandstand offers a front-on view of the climb into Turn 1 and the best vantage point for the pit exit. The T3 Grandstand, one of the newer additions, provides a panoramic view of the circuit and is known for its prime overtaking opportunities.
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A-1 Ring
The Austrian Grand Prix has been held at two different locations in southeastern Austria. The race was originally held at the Zeltweg Air Base, about 70 km (43 mi) west of Graz, from 1964 to 1969.
Since 1969, the Austrian Grand Prix has taken place in neighbouring Spielberg, with the two venues being within approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) of each other. The track was originally called the Österreichring, located near Zeltweg, and was later renamed the A-1 Ring and, most recently, the Red Bull Ring, due to its ownership by the Austrian drinks company of the same name. The Red Bull Ring is found around five kilometres from the town of Spielberg in Austria’s Styria region. It lies approximately a one-hour drive (75 km or 46 miles) from the major city of Graz. The capital, Vienna, is around 200 km (124 miles) northeast of the circuit.
The A-1 Ring, or Österreichring, was built in the scenic Styrian mountains and was a fast, flowing track where every corner was high speed and long. The track was popular with drivers, and the events were moderately successful. The first race on this track was dominated by Ferrari, with their more powerful Flat-12 engines enabling them to be 10 mph faster – a significant advantage in racing terms.
In 2002, the A-1 Ring event received negative publicity after Ferrari instructed Rubens Barrichello to cede his victory to Michael Schumacher. The A-1 Ring hosted its final race in 2003. In July 2013, it was reported that the circuit's new owners, Red Bull GmbH, had reached an agreement to revive the Austrian Grand Prix after a ten-year absence. The race returned to the Formula One calendar in 2014, where it has remained since then.
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Spielberg
The Austrian Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring, a motorsport racetrack in Spielberg, Styria, Austria. The race circuit was founded as Österreichring (translated as Austrian Circuit) and was originally located at the Zeltweg Air Base. The permanent track was built in 1969 in neighbouring Spielberg, about 70km (43mi) west of Graz, and was renamed the A1-Ring and later the Red Bull Ring.
The Red Bull Ring is around 5km from the town of Spielberg and is approximately a one-hour drive (75km or 46 miles) from Graz, the nearest major city. The track is set against the backdrop of the Styrian Mountains and is known for its high-speed nature, with every corner being high speed and long. It is one of the most scenic circuits on the Formula One calendar and is a favourite among drivers and fans. The remote location of the track adds to its charm, with many fans opting to camp, giving the event a festival vibe.
The Red Bull Ring has a rich history in Formula One, having hosted the Austrian Grand Prix for 18 consecutive years from 1970 to 1987. The circuit was then rebuilt and shortened, and it hosted the Grand Prix again from 1997 to 2003. After a 10-year absence, the Austrian Grand Prix returned to the Red Bull Ring in 2014 and has remained on the Formula One calendar since.
The Red Bull Ring offers a variety of grandstands for spectators, including the Red Bull Grandstand, the T3 Grandstand, and the Schonberg Grandstand. The Red Bull Grandstand is the largest on the track, offering fantastic views of the cars as they exit the first corner and climb up the hill. The T3 Grandstand is set further back due to the large run-off at the corner but offers a panoramic view of the circuit. The Schonberg Grandstand provides a view of the infield section of the track and guarantees a sight of F1 cars at full speed.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring, near the town of Spielberg in Austria’s Styria region.
The Red Bull Ring is around 75km or 46 miles from Graz, the nearest airport with international connections.
The Red Bull Ring is around 200km or 124 miles from Vienna.
The best way to get to the Austrian Grand Prix depends on where you are travelling from. If you are travelling from Vienna, you can take a direct train to Knittelfeld, and from there, a free shuttle bus to the circuit. If you are travelling from Graz, you can take a train to Knittelfeld, changing at Bruck/Mur station, and then take the shuttle bus.
The Red Bull Grandstand is the largest grandstand on the track, with fantastic views of the cars flying up the hill and activating their DRS at full throttle. The T3 Grandstand is one of the newer grandstands and offers an amazing panoramic view of the circuit.
