The Austrian Grand Prix: Where And When?

The Austrian Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring, a motorsport race track in Spielberg, Styria, Austria. The race circuit was founded as the Österreichring (translated as Austrian Circuit) and hosted the Austrian Grand Prix for 18 consecutive years, from 1970 to 1987. It was later shortened, rebuilt and renamed the A1-Ring, and it hosted the Austrian Grand Prix again from 1997 to 2003. The Red Bull Ring has hosted the Austrian Grand Prix since 2014.

The Red Bull Ring

The history of the Red Bull Ring dates back to the 1960s when the original Zeltweg Airfield circuit was deemed too dangerous and bumpy. The Österreichring track was built to replace it, situated just across the expressway. The new track was narrow, only 10 metres wide in all places, but it was very fast, with every corner taken at high speeds.

In the mid-1990s, safety concerns arose, and the track underwent a significant refurbishment. It was shortened, rebuilt, and renamed the A1-Ring (A Eins-Ring). This new configuration hosted the Austrian Grand Prix again from 1997 to 2003. However, when Formula One outgrew the circuit, parts of it were demolished, and it remained unusable for several years.

In 2004, the circuit was purchased by Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz, who renovated and reopened it in 2011 under the name Red Bull Ring. Since then, it has regularly hosted various motorsport events, including Formula One, MotoGP, and DTM races. The track has also undergone slight modifications over the years, such as the introduction of a chicane at turn 2 for MotoGP and other motorcycle races in 2022.

The Styrian Grand Prix

The Red Bull Ring is in the state of Styria, near Spielberg, a small town of about 5,000 people in southeastern Austria. The nearest large city is Graz, approximately 75 km away, and Vienna is about 200 km away. The circuit is located on the municipal territory of Spielberg and is about 4 km from Zeltweg, where the Austrian Grand Prix was originally held.

Despite the original intention for the Styrian Grand Prix to be a one-off event, the race returned in 2021 as the eighth round of the championship, replacing the Turkish Grand Prix, which was postponed due to travel restrictions. Max Verstappen won the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finishing second and third, respectively.

Zeltweg Air Base

The Austrian Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, a small town in the state of Styria in southeast Austria. The race has been held at two different locations in this region, with the first being at the Zeltweg Air Base, about 70 km (43 mi) west of Graz, from 1964 to 1969.

In 1955, the RAF presence ended, and control of the airfield was transferred to Austria. The Austrian Independence Treaty, signed earlier that year, allowed Austria to establish its own armed forces, and the first infantry unit was allocated to Zeltweg. In 1956, the first troops of the Austrian Air Force were stationed there as well, making it their main base. The Air Base was named after Austrian officer and popular airman Franz Hinterstoisser in 1967, honouring his balloon flight from Salzburg, over the Alps, to a location near Zeltweg.

In addition to its military functions, Zeltweg Air Base has also been used for motor racing. The idea to use the airfield as a racing circuit came from the success of the Silverstone Circuit in the UK, which was also built on a former airfield. In 1963, a non-championship race was held at Zeltweg, won by Australian Jack Brabham. The first championship event took place in 1964, with Italian Lorenzo Bandini winning his only Formula One championship race. However, due to the bumpy surface and safety concerns, the Austrian Grand Prix was removed from the F1 calendar after only two races at Zeltweg. The last Formula One World Championship race held at the Zeltweg Airfield circuit was in 1964, with a lap record of 1:10.560 set by Dan Gurney in a Brabham BT7.

Graz

The Austrian Grand Prix is held in Spielberg, a small town in the state of Styria in southeastern Austria. Graz, Austria's second-largest city, is located about 70-75 km away and is a popular destination for visitors attending the Grand Prix.

• Visit Schlossberg hill, which features the Uhrturm clocktower, and Eggenberg Castle, two of the five must-see attractions in Graz.
• Check out Kunsthaus Graz, the art museum completed in 2003 when the city was the European Capital of Culture.
• Take an open-top bus tour to learn about the history and explore important landmarks in Graz.
• Go to a concert at Styriarte, an annual classical music festival held from June 21 to July 21.
• Visit the Murinsel, a cafe on the water with beautiful lighting at night.
• Enjoy the view of the Styrian hills from the Gösting Castle ruins, which also feature a small museum and a tavern.
• Explore the Hauptplatz (Main Square), which often hosts F1-themed displays or parties, and the surrounding streets for dining and drinking options.
• Sample local foods at the Kaiser-Josef-Market, Graz's largest farmers' market.
• Visit other landmarks such as the Graz cathedral and the pilgrimage site Mariatrost Basilica.

Spielberg

The Austrian Grand Prix is held in Spielberg, a small town in southeastern Austria, about 75km from Graz, the nearest large city. The race track, known as the Red Bull Ring, is in the state of Styria. The town itself is small, with a population of around 5000 people.

The Red Bull Ring is located in a picturesque natural bowl in the Styrian mountains. The track is known for its short lap, with the first half rewarding power as cars race along three straights, separated by a pair of uphill right-hand turns. As drivers move downhill, the track becomes a series of quick corners, including the Rindt right-hander, named after Austria's first F1 champion.

The Red Bull Ring has a history dating back to 1969 when it was originally called the Osterreichring, serving as a replacement for the Zeltweg airfield circuit. The track was redesigned over the winter of 1995-96 by Hermann Tilke, who transformed it into a shorter, more modern course. The first Grand Prix was held in 1997, with the circuit then known as the A1-Ring.

Spectators travelling to the Austrian Grand Prix can opt for camping near the track or more comfortable accommodation in the region. Driving is the preferred mode of transport to the circuit, especially for those intending to camp. There is ample free parking provided, about a 15-minute walk from the track. Alternatively, there are well-organised cycle paths from the car parks to designated bike parks near the concert area.

For those relying on public transport, shuttle buses are available from Knittlefeld train station and Judenburg bus station, located about 7km and 5km away, respectively. Trains from Graz and Vienna Central Station also connect to the circuit, with Graz offering a more convenient option due to its proximity and better onward transport.

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