Once again, the whole board MotoGP will move, at the beginning of August, to the Red Bull Ring to compete for two grand prizes. This makes it the most frequently used circuit since its arrival on the calendar six years ago. As in 2020, two consecutive races will be contested on the magnificent Austrian track. Today, let's follow in the footsteps of Austrian GPand of Styria, we cheat a little, in order to grasp its full grandeur.
The story begins 250 kilometers from Spielbergin
Salzburg. The city, located not far from the German border, opened a circuit in 1968 intended to host motorcycle Grands Prix, but not only that. The complex is not intended to be revolutionary, but will allow Austrians to discover the world that was in full expansion at the time.
Le Salzburgring, named after the city or region, as is often the case in Germanic countries, is very particular, astonishingly simple. 11 turns, a pit straight, a return straight. And that's all (see map below).
Originally, there were no quibbles. The circuit presented is current, but remains extremely simple. Photo: Salzburg official
The straight ends are not quite, and this is precisely what makes the track famous. Indeed, it is one of the most dangerous of the time, due to the speed reached and no chicane breaking the rhythm. The Grands Prix arrived with fanfare on the territory in 1971.
Jan de Vries, 50cc legend, takes victory in the smallest of the categories. Angel Nieto
wins in 125cc, while Silvio Grassetti
triumph in 250cc. There 350 cc and the
500 cc, as often at the time, belong to
Giacomo Agostini, therefore, to say. Moreover, “Ago” and Nieto are the most successful drivers in Austria, with six successes each.
The races are not that closely contested, but that is more the work of the era and MV Agusta domination than of the track. In 1973, Jarno Saarinen won his second there and last victory in 500cc. The circuit is closely linked to tragic accidents. In 1977 the death ofHans Stadelmann in the 350cc category logically causes the race to be canceled.
Three years later, the unthinkable happened. The 1980 Austrian Grand Prix, organized in April, planned a little surprise for the participants of the Continental Circus. What was the surprise of Kenny Roberts and his friends when they saw the snow falling on the track!
After negotiations with the organizer, the round was simply canceled. We will have to wait 38 years and Silverstone 2018 to see such a fiasco again.
In 1996, Salzburgring is abandoned in favor ofA1-Ring, Formerly
Österreichring The sauce does not take, and the lack of interest in Austria pushes the FIM to abandon the idea of a Grand Prix in these regions.
The magnificent Salzburgring, seen from the sky. Photo: Salzburgring official.
Until 2016. The Red Bull Ring made its big “comeback” in this crazy year, driven by new electronics regulations. The energy drink brand with its sprawling network is no stranger to this comeback, of course.
Since then, the circuit has been a highlight of the calendar
MotoGP. It is, every year, one of the most maddening races, due to the hilly circuit made up of three long straight lines. The “stop and go” aspect as well as the long straight ends naturally give the advantage to the
Ducati.
Andrea Iannone,
Andrea Dovizioso et
Jorge Lorenzo are all red drivers who have won in the premier category. However, the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix – another name for being able to run two rounds on the same track – lives Miguel Oliveira celebrate at the end of a wonderful match.
KTM is the only Austrian brand to have won even one Austrian GP. Joan Mir, Celestino Vietti, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Albert Arenas and Miguel Oliveira
are the authors of these “house successes”.
We hope the best for our French, especially since Johann Zarco has the most suitable machine to do the job. In the past, the Marseillaise was sounded many times, thanks to Christian Sarron (250cc 1984), as often, but also Eric Saul (350cc 1982), Patrick Hernandez (350cc 1981) or even Olivier Jacque in 1997, 250cc category.
These two consecutive races will undoubtedly represent the best chance of victory for JZ5. Will he ward off bad luck? Answer in a few days.
The bull is everywhere at the Red Bull Ring. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
