The Austrian Grand Prix returns to the Effwun calendar for the first time since 2003. The circuit has had a revamp from Red Bull since then and Red Bull Racing will naturally be hoping they can get their first win on home soil in 2014. With Ricciardo’s win in Montreal last week (albeit when Mercedes faltered) hopes are high in the Red Bull Racing garage.
The “Ring” has seen many configurations of the track, mainly to slow the cars down, as speeds of up to 256 km/h for a lap average were being recorded.
The grandstands and pit buildings were demolished in 2004, rendering the track unusable for any motorsport category.
Red Bull Ring.
In late 2004 and early 2005, there were intense discussions concerning whether the owner of the circuit, Red Bull, would find another use for the site, or return motor sports to the venue. There was a circuit extension proposal using part of the old Österreichring; however, Dietrich Mateschitz publicly announced that he had no intention of wasting money on a race circuit.
Despite what he had avowed before, late in 2008, Red Bull began their €70m reconstruction of the track.
With the reconstruction, the Red Bull Ring has hosted the DTM Series, F2 and the FIA Historic Formula One Championship.
In July 2013, Red Bull announced that the Austrian Grand Prix will return as a round of the Formula One World Championship in 2014. This was confirmed on 4 December 2013 when the 2014 Formula One schedule was released and included the Austrian Grand Prix to be held on 22 June 2014.
The telecast of the race begins at 7 p.m. Thai time and we will be watching in front of the big screen at Jameson’s Irish Pub (Soi AR) and get there around 6 p.m. for something to eat and a convivial drink or two before the race starts. Come in a koala suit and barrack for Ricciardo and I’ll get Kim Fletcher to buy you a drink or a eucalyptus leaf or something.
