Österreichring

Motorsport venue
Name =Österreichring | Location = Spielberg, Styria, Austria
Time = GMT +1


Events = DTM, F1
Length_km = 4.326
Length_mi = 2.684
Turns = 10
Record_time = 1:08.337, 227.894 km/h
Record_driver = Michael Schumacher
Record_team = Ferrari
Record_year = 2003The Österreichring is a disused Austrian race circuit which hosted the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix 18 consecutive years, from 1970 through 1987.

After being shortened, rebuilt and renamed A1-Ring, it again hosted races from 1997 through 2003.

The track is located in Spielberg, Styria. The old "Österreichring" was more often referred to as being located at Zeltweg, which is bigger and better known. However, the circuit was never relocated, only modified.

In addition, the one-off 1964 Austrian Grand Prix was held at Zeltweg Airfield, so this name was already known.

The Österreichring

The track was known for having many fast corners, as well as noticeable changes in elevation during the course of a lap. Many considered the Österreichring to be dangerous, especially the "Boschkurve", a 180-degree right-hand corner with almost no run-off area. Tragically, American Mark Donohue died after crashing at the "Hella-Licht" corner in 1975. It is also known that four-times World Champion Alain Prost often said that all tracks can be changed but that the Österreichring should remain unchanged, just adding run-off areas would be fine.

Formula One history

The new A1-Ring

Mainly due to safety concerns, the track was abandoned by Formula One for nearly a decade. The circuit was totally rebuilt, at the same site, by Hermann Tilke in 1995 and 1996. The circuit was shortened from 5.942 km to 4.326 km (2.684 mi), the fast sweeping corners replaced by three tight right-handers, in order to create overtaking opportunities for F1. Its three long straights, as well as a twisty infield section, asked for a setup compromise.

Renamed A1-Ring (after a sponsor, the cellphone provider A1), the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix was held on it from 1997 to 2003.

Formula One history

Recent news

The grandstands and pit buildings were demolished in 2004, rendering the track unusable for any motorsport category. In later 2004 and early 2005, there were intense discussions whether the owner, Red Bull, would find another use for the site or actually bring back motor sports to it. However, as of January 2005, this seems more unlikely than ever, as Dietrich Mateschitz publicly announced that he had no intention to waste money on a deficitary circuit. This failure of the project, which was of considerable importance for the surrounding municipalities, may even have serious political repercussions, as Styrian governor Waltraud Klasnic had strongly supported the project.

In 2006, Austrian racing driver Alexander Wurz claimed he would buy the circuit and have it renovated, but little has come about this.

During the whole of 2005 there were speculations of Red Bull Racing renovating the track and using it as a personal testing track in Formula One. It remains to be seen if Mateschitz and his Red Bull Racing will do something about the abandoned track.

In 2007, talks involving Red Bull, KTM, VW and Magna International for a "neuer Österreichring" have failed after VW pulled out. [ [http://steiermark.orf.at/stories/206445/ Wenig Chance auf neue Spielberg-Partner - oesterreich.ORF.at de icon ] ] .

In April 2008 the current owners of the track , Red Bull, was to restore the track as a racing venue and DTM Chief were considering to return there for a race in 2009. [ [http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66688 DTM considering return to Austria] ] [ [http://www.salzburg.com/nwas/index.php?article=DText/2e4$_muqyuk5nk0988w7hac&
] ] but in July 2008, the DTM organizers have decided not to include Österreichring into the 2009 program, although plans for the revival of the track are still under discussion [ [http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68980 A1-Ring not included on 2009 calendar] ]

In October 2008, the track owner Dietrich Mateschitz has ruled out any chance for the track to host an MotoGP or a Formula 1 Grand prix in the future, but it will only be used for DTM races. The track rebuilt will be finished by the end of 2010. [ [http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/081008101355.shtml No F1 race for rebuilt A1-Ring - Mateschitz] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/A1-Ring Trackpedia's guide to racing the A1-ring]
* [http://groups.msn.com/Circuitsofthepast/eenrondjesterreichring.msnw The Osterreichring as it was in 2006 (photos)]
* [http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/5149/a1proposalga7.pngA Picture of the Neu Osterreich ring proposed layout]
* [http://www.tilke.de/projekte.php?projid=3950-01 tilke.de: A1-Ring, Österreich]