The Red Bull Ring during the ELMS round in 2013 - Photo : ELMS/DPPI

Inaugurated in 1969, the Austrian circuit replaced the antique Zeltweg aerodrome, scene of the first national Grand Prix in the early 1960s. Drivers are unanimous: the Österreichring is an extremely fast and technical circuit that demands one's heart be in it if a driver hopes to perform well. Until 1987, the Styrie complex welcomed Formula 1 in a configuration practically identical to the original design. The only modification on record concerns the placement of a chicane at the end of the grandstand straight, after a fatal incident for Mark Donohue that happened during the warm-up of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1975.

For 10 years, the Österreichring was shunned by the global calendar and important renovation work was undertaken. To complete the rebirth of this magnificent circuit nestled in the heart of a hilly region, the prolific German architect Hermann Tilke was called in as well as the Austrian telephone company A1 to finance the majority of the reconstruction costs. Though the original circuit has been overhauled, the spirit of the circuit has been preserved and its success is undeniable since in addition to Formula 1, the DTM and motorbike Grand Prix are held.

Unfortunately for Austrian fans, the allure for Formula 1 of emerging countries condemned for a second time the A1 Ring to a dormant period. Totally abandoned and partially destroyed, the Zeltweg circuit owes its survival to the charismatic entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull energy drinks. 70 million euros have been invested to revive this piece of global motorsports history. The International GT Open, DTM, Formula 2, Formula 1 and also the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) find themselves in the paddocks of the circuit now called Red Bull Ring.

Subject to the circuit's configuration over the years, the three fastest drivers have been Niki Lauda (1975) in 1:34:850, Nelson Piquet (1987) in 1:23:357 and Rubens Barrichello (2002) in 1:08:082.

Pierre-Yves Riom / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO