Publications
Partners
- The Austrian Grand Prix returns to the Red Bull Ring for another action-packed event.
- Max Verstappen has won the race on three occasions, but could be poised for a fourth this weekend.
- The 2022 edition of the Austrian GP is run over 71 laps.
Underestimating the 4.3km Red Bull Ring in Austria would be a foolish thing to do.
The circuit may be one of the shortest and quickest on the Formula 1 calendar, but it packs a significant punch that will leave a driver with divided attention flabbergasted at just how intense and demanding the track is.
The circuit, belonging to the Austrian team Red Bull Racing, came under the energy drink company's ownership in 2004, renaming it the Red Bull Ring from its previous name, the A1-Ring. Red Bull did all they could to bring F1 'back home', with the race returning to Spielberg in 2014.
It's been a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar since, even hosting two races in 2020 and 2021. In addition to the Austrian Grand Prix, the Styrian GP would be held at the same venue over two consecutive weekends.
This was done during the Covid-19 pandemic when global sport was turned on its head.
The Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring runs over 71 laps, comprising a total race distance of 306.452km. In 2020, Carlos Sainz set a race lap record of 1:05.619 in his Ferrari.
? B E A U T I F U L ?
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 8, 2022
The splendid views of Spielberg, Austria ??#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/682D0FrEOK
What you should know
The Austrian GP first took place in 1964 at Zeltweg before moving to Österreichring for the next 18 events until 1987. Austria did not host a race for the next 10 years, only returning in 1997.
But over the European winter of 1995/1996, Spielberg, the race's next venue, changed, bringing about the design we see today. In 1996, the track was also renamed the A1-Ring, with Jacques Villeneuve winning in 1997 upon its F1 return.
The Austrian GP remained on the F1 calendar until 2003 before returning in 2014. Speaking on the Red Bull Ring's future in F1, Red Bull Motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko said: "The Red Bull Ring is always among the best-rated Grands Prix, and Red Bull also makes up 20% of the grid. The Red Bull Ring is not in danger."
Alain Prost and Max Verstappen are tied on three wins each at the Austrian GP, but Verstappen could be positioned for a fourth this weekend in front of his Red Bull team's home crowd. Valtteri Bottas stood on the podium's top step on two occasions, while Lewis Hamilton could only do so once.
McLaren is the most successful team at the event with six wins, followed by Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG, tied on five each. Ferrari could upset the Bulls with another win - if they get their ducks in a row - with Charles Leclerc getting his championship campaign against Verstappen back on course.
The Mercedes duo of Hamilton and George Russell are within an outside chance of winning, given that their upgrades seem to be working, having seemingly closed the performance gap to Red Bull and Ferrari.
To follow our live coverage of the 2022 Austrian GP, click here.
To get The Undercut delivered to your inbox, you must be logged in to your free News24 profile.
Once you're registered, go to 'My Newsletters' under your profile and search for The Undercut under the Sport category.
Sign up at no cost and browse through a range of News24 newsletters to choose from.
