Austria returned to the MotoGP calendar in 2016, providing the fastest circuit in the World Championship, with riders operating at an average speed in excess of 180 km/h. The track also has the highest elevation, at 677 meters above sea level.
– The Red Bull Ring is a circuit located in the town of Spielberg, with around 5 inhabitants.
– The first international races organized in the region took place in 1957 on the Zeltweg military base, just 5 kilometers from the current circuit.
– Built in 1969 with a length of 5.91 km, the original name of the track was Österreichring, which means “Circuit of Austria”.
– In 1996 it was renamed A1-Ring when telephone operator A1 paid for most of a remodeling process which allowed it to host the World Championship in 1996 and 1997.
– Herman Tilke was commissioned to carry out the work. He has also been responsible for MotorLand Aragon, Sepang in Malaysia and the main stand at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
– The six races which took place during these two editions (two in 125cc, two in 250cc and two in 500cc) were won by Honda riders.
– The 500 1996cc race saw a young Alex Crivillé, in his second season with the Repsol Honda team, take victory over Mick Doohan on the final lap.
– Red Bull acquired the track in 2010 and made significant safety changes, allowing it to return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014 and MotoGP in 2016.
– The Austrian track has the highest altitude of the season. More precisely, it is located 677 meters above sea level (the second is MotorLand Aragón, 381 meters above sea level).
– The difference between the highest and lowest point of the circuit is 65 meters.
– This is the circuit with the fewest turns on the calendar, with a total of 10.
– This is the circuit with the highest average speed, at 182,4 km/h. Phillip Island and Mugello are second and third, 176,5 km/h and 174,2 km/h respectively.
– Paradoxically, the maximum speed of the track is among the lowest on the calendar: 313 km/h, because it has one of the shortest straights (the only shortest are in Assen, Misano and Jerez).
– During its return to the World Championship, the Austrian round received the Best Grand Prix of the year award.
– In 2016, the Austrian Grand Prix welcomed 216 spectators over the race weekend, the highest attendance of the season.
– It has the only World Championship press room that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for accredited journalists.
– The circuit is open 365 days a year and, in winter, hosts snow races, such as cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowmobile races.
– The enclosure in which the circuit is located includes several tracks inside, for testing, off-road for cars or motorcycles, and karting. In addition, it also includes a driving school.
– The Red Bull Ring also hosts the Spielberg Musikfestival from August 23 to 27, bringing together traditional and modern music.
– The first Austrian Grand Prix took place in 1971 on the Salzburgring circuit, which hosted 22 editions.
– At this event, Giacomo Agostini won in 500cc with more than a lap ahead of second place Keith Turner.
– On the same day, Agostini also won the 350cc race, while the winners in the other categories were: Silvio Grassetti (MZ) in 250cc, Angel Nieto (Derbi) in 125cc and Jan de Vries (Kreidler) in 50cc.
– The last time a Grand Prix was held at the Salzburgring was in 1994, with Mick Doohan winning the 500cc race with an average speed above 194km/h.
– Due to the high speeds reached and for safety reasons, the circuit was deemed too dangerous to continue hosting a Grand Prix.
– Franco Uncini suffered an accident at the 350 1977 cc Austrian GP and was saved thanks to the rapid intervention of Clinica Mobile, during the first GP in which they began their service.
– North American director and producer Steven Spielberg owes his last name to his Hungarian descendants, who lived in the Austrian city in the 17th century.
Source: Repsol Honda
