The Austrian Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1 calendar this year after a ten-year absence.
The circuit layout has changed a lot over the years, but the last version used between 1996 and 2003, largely remains, albeit slightly modified by new owners Red Bull.
Here’s your quick-fire guide to the old but sort of new venue.
The Red Bull Ring – as it’s now known – is located in Spielberg, Styria in the southeast of Austria. It’s about a two hour drive from the capital, Vienna.
More from less: The circuit itself officially features seven corners according to the official website, however F1 has managed to squeeze in an extra two, without even changing the layout (4 and 7). That makes it the race with the fewest corners, even Monza has 11.
Out with the old and in with the new: Several corner names have been dropped, such as Niki Lauda (he wasn’t too happy about that), Remus and Power Horse, and replaced with new sponsored names.
It’s quite short: The circuit is the third shortest on the calendar at just 4.326km (2.688m) which means we’ll witness 71 laps during the race. Only Interlagos (4.309km) and Monaco (3.340km) are shorter whilst Spa-Francorchamps is the longest at 7.004km.
Sold out: The venue can hold 85,000 spectators thanks to the construction of several new grandstands, courtesy of the Spielberg government which granted the organisers an exemption from various noise, pollution and traffic rules. But hopefully you’ve got your tickets, because it’s a sell out.
Check out our track map below:
© The F1 Times
Check out Vettel and Ricciardo’s preview:
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