One possible solution to the mystery of the 20th race in 2013 could be the Red Bull Ring in Austria. This is only 250 miles from Budapest which means that the F1 circus could move between the two tracks fairly easily and it is possible that a multi-squillionaire such as Dietrich Mateschitz might like the idea of hosting an event, even if it is only a one-off to help Bernie Ecclestone get the 20 races he wants. Each new race on the calendar means that the teams get extra money so in some respects Red Bull would be getting some of the money back.
The circuit was reopened last year after a major rebuild from its days as as the A1 Ring. Prior to that it was known as the Osterreichring and hosted Grands Prix from the 1960s onwards. It was a popular venue. It has not been used for an F1 race since 2003 and the infrastructure in the region is poor, but Sebastian Vettel recently said that he could imagine a Grand Prix being staged there. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko added that “with Mateschitz, you can never say never. Let’s see how it develops.”
The A1-Ring always seemed to produce pretty good, close races, so it’d be nice if it were to make a reappearance, even if it was for one season.
It’s been ten years since the last F1 was at the A1 Ring so I’m guessing it would need some work which is why I think it will be Turkey.
You are guessing wrong. It was rebuilt recently
The A1-Ring seemed to loose it’s appeal following the 2001 GP when Barrichello was ordered to let Schumacher past on the final lap to claim second position. Given the design of some of the modern tracks (Abu Dhabi/India/Austin) for example surely the Red Bull Ring would be a rather simple track and not produce the exciting racing we have come to love in recent seasons.
Hardly the track’s or even the promoters’ fault. Heck, even in 2012 the Red team are still manipulative.
The simplicity of the circuit was what lended it superbly to such brilliant racing. Most of the Tolkedromes would continue to produce sterile processions if it weren’t for the new Pirelli tyres and DRS. The A1-Ring was one of those circuits where it is possible to race and pass. Who needs anything more?
I think it would be excellent to have a race in Austria, and it’s one I would certainly attend. The track looks like it is set in an extremely beautiful location. Bring it on!
Could it be Finland?
Its only 2000km from Hungary
There are plenty of Finnish drivers, some sponsors and loads of fans
Kimi only needs two race wins to afford the race fee on his current bonus clauses from Lotus
in a statement from Kimi: “yeah that [a Finnish GP] would be ok, then I could stay at home for it”
But Kimi lives in Switzerland.
Even better! he lives 15KM from me! Kimi and Vettel could go for a game of badminton after the race!
I’d be curious to go to Austria when it’s not snowing, but it seems a bit odd. I get the feeling there wouldn’t be enough fans to spread between Germany, Hungary and Austria (all within reasonable driving distance of each other)
Yes Turkey struggled to get a consistent fan base, but why not give them one last shot? If they actually promote the event and make tickets affordable to locals it would be more successful, maybe if the promoters tried to improve the ROI over increased spectators instead of high prices for a low number of spectators they would generate more interest.
If F1 is considering going back to Austria, why not just head off to Finland! Kimi has enough money from his Lotus bonus to pay sanctioning fees and pretty much build a track!
“…there wouldn’t be enough fans to spread between Germany, Hungary and Austria …”
Include Italian fans Jon, they used to come to the Osterreichring by the squillion!
Martin
I proposed the idea of attending the German, Austrian & Hungarian GP as the family holiday next year to my wife last night. suffice to say it did not go down well and I have a surprisingly comfortable sofa!
The more I think about it, the more exciting I find the prospect of Red Bull hosting a race. Hopefully the event would be one huge party!
“… the idea of attending the German, Austrian & Hungarian GP as the family holiday…”
Good luck with that one Jon.
Martin
With that potential fan base for attendance it seems like a no brainer – and scenic too!
I don’t know about the A1 Ring, it’s only got 8 corners; it feels a bit small and antiquated for contemporary F1 when compared with circuits like Austin. Maybe if they’d built the extension on the side as was originally planned it might work.
I think that it’s small is a good thing, it’s nice to have some variety amongst the tracks which has been lacking in recent years with the Tilkedrome era (and yes I know the RB Ring is technically a Tilkedrome also).
Silverstone only had six, but it was the fastest of the lot back then.
That’s exactly what makes it a great track. Simplicity. Too many tracks now try to have everything and it doesn’t work. Go back to old-style, simple tracks and you’ll get better racing.
I’ve been there last year at the reopening, Joe, lovely track but pit and press facilities were way too small for F1 standards. But I would love if this happens, love that place!
Impress us and race on the original track.
It does not exist any more
Re-create it then! Dieter Mateschitz seems to have plenty of money.
Martin
Thanks. I realize the original track was razed for the current layout. My point is that I prefer the old tracks with the high speeds, elevations, and challenging curves.
I realize you heard it before. And I understand the logic behind the new tracks.
Shouldn’t a Red Bull Grand Prix alternate between Thailand and Austria?
Can we have the Osterreichring, 1970′s style, back please?
Martin
No
Shame. it was a great circuit.
Martin
I like this line of thinking. Turkey seemed like a shoe-in but for the extra travel. With Red Bull recouping a lot of its F1 investment now, this gives Mateschitz an opportunity to have a ‘Red Bull race’ in his native Austria and gain even more marketing exposure than they currently get as champions. I wonder if Bernie would also have to put less money in for an Austrian race than a Turkish one and if this influences which one we may see. For Dietrich, a race also justifies restoring the track better than simply having DTM races, although it was reported he once did say no F1 would take place there – but it seems such a good idea to do it!
Excellent news! Let’s make Austria permanent and let’s get rid of Hungary which is home to the most boring races in F1 history.
A guarantee for boring races is the current Barcelona track. Even worse than Hungary.
Am I the only one who remembers the annual snooze-athon that was the Austrian GP? The A1 Ring was hopeless and provided next to no overtaking. It was almost as bad as the Hungaroring.
Yes, please! An old school fast circuit with natural elevation changes would be such a pleasant surprise.
I would be quite curious to see, if Austria gets the slot, how Renault Sport and RPM will react as they plan to host a WSR meeting at the Red Bull Ring the very same week-end. Are they going to switch or trying to stay, even if it includes keeping only the FR3.5 in order to have a direct match to GP2, as I can’t reasonably see F1+GP2+GP3+PSC+FR3.5+FR2.0 and their 40-car field+Megane Trophy in the same week-end, where a Monaco configuration would be easier. But maybe I’m going too far too soon!
You are.
Joe I was lucky enough to attend two GP’s at the old Osterreichring, in 1976 and 1981. Man, that was a track. I understood the reason it was removed from the calendar was the absence of the Ritz Carlton type accommodation, so beloved of F1 movers and shakers, in the area. I doubt that much has improved in the last few years. I last passed through Zeltweg on Boxing Day 2005 on the way to Venice and it seemed pretty much as it was 24 years earlier apart from the 2 feet of snow that blanketed the area. It’s a pity the old circuit can’t be rebuilt but I doubt that the original layout of the Rindt curve – with armco at the very edge of the track – would be acceptable today. It first hosted the Austrian GP in 1970, some would call that the last year of the 1960′s I guess, but I don’t want to start an argument about when decades start and finish here.
Salzburg is beautiful in the spring. I’m in! The road to the track is an issue as far as modern day transportation corridors… Drove past it but the Avis rental car agreement specifically mentioned no lapping on race tracks. Pity.
Oh Deer!…
hehe. Joe can explain.
“It’s like a horse with horns”
Istanbul Park over Red Bull Ring any day of the week….
Great memories of watching races here on tv as a kid in Australia. Seeing spectators sitting on the grass in the sun watching awesome races convinced me to move to Europe so I could attend F1 races in person. I’d love to see it back.
Contrary to some opinions, I think this could be interesting – The track is totally different to the tilkedromes and used to produce drag racing grudgematches between turns 1 & 2 and 2 & 3. Add some DRS on the start/finish straight and I think it could be quite entertaining.
We cannot stand in the way of professionalism and progress, but if F1 has a failing circuit-wise, it is that there is not enough variation between circuits nowadays. Impressive they may be, but they tend to end up with the same chicane as tilke-favourite long duration floating apex corners. These are fine – but I strongly think they need to be mixed with Monzas, Montreals, Silverstones and Singapores for flavour.
I used to think Imola was boring post-1994 but now would relish to see cars hopping the kerbs at those chicanes as it would be something different, and a chance for different drivers and cars to show their skills.
Is Bernie playing”Who give me most money for a F1-race” again now?
Should we place our money on Turkey or RB-Ring?Could France have a chance?I could bet on Shetland if they give Bernie more money then the others.So Who will give him most money then?RB-Ring sounds like the most moneygiving alternative in my ears.
Barry Manilow’s original song title probably wouldn’t have been as a big a hit.
There is a FANTASTIC “new” circuit at Faro, south of Portugal. F1 should go there.
Did they forget to build a grandstand??!
http://www.endurance-info.com/2012_Divers/RedBullRing.jpg