F1 Tracks: Red Bull Ring - Austrian Grand Prix

Information about the F1 Red Bull Ring track. Including location, first built, lap record and length of circuit.

Nestled in the picturesque Styrian mountains, the Red Bull Ring features one of the most breathtaking vistas on the Formula 1 calendar. 

This year, world champion Max Verstappen heads to his Red Bull team's home circuit leading the title race and the majority of the crowd in Austria will be hoping the Dutchman can pick up his fifth win at the track. 

Although there hasn't been a Formula 1 driver from Austria since 2010, the race is always well attended, with Verstappen's Orange Army represented in great numbers in recent years. 

As the track is not particularly long and is situated in a natural bowl the viewing is spectacular, while the fast, flowing corners and many overtaking opportunities make it a favourite with drivers and fans alike.

What	2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Where	Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria
When	14:00, Sunday 2nd July 2023
How to watch	Sky Sports F1

Where is the Red Bull Ring?

The circuit lies in central Austria near the small town of Spielberg in the Aichfeld basin.

When was the Red Bull Ring first built?

A motor racing circuit has existed on the site since 1959 when it was converted from a military airfield.

Zeltweg, as it was then known, hosted its first F1 race in 1964 but the track was much changed when it reappeared on the calendar in 1970 for the first of 18 consecutive years. 

By 1987 Formula 1 cars had outgrown the circuit but following another redesign in the mid-1990s the track returned to the calendar between 1997 and 2003, this time named the A1 Ring. 

The following year the site was bought by Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who kept the circuit layout the same but completely rebuilt the grandstands and pit buildings. 

On completion of the work, the circuit hosted the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix and has been the venue for at least one F1 race every year since.

How long is the Red Bull Ring?

Several circuit configurations are possible, but the current Grand Prix track measures 4.318km with capacity for 105,000 spectators. 

When did the Red Bull Ring first host an F1 race?

The 1964 Austrian Grand Prix was held at the Zeltweg Airfield circuit at the same location. 

The first race at the Red Bull Ring in its current incarnation was in 2014 and was won by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. 

Who has won the most F1 races at the Red Bull Ring?

Max Verstappen has won four times at the Red Bull Ring - the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018, 2019 and 2021 as well as the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix. 

What is the F1 lap record at the Red Bull Ring?

The fastest racing lap recorded at the track is 1min 5.619sec set by Carlos Sainz in a McLaren on lap 68 of the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix at an average speed of 147.2mph. 

Sainz finished ninth in the race. 

Does the Red Bull Ring host any other events?

The Red Bull Ring is a very busy venue hosting a number of race series between April and September, including MotoGP, DTM (German Touring Cars), Formula 4 and the new F1 Academy series. 

What is the weather like at the Red Bull Ring?

Like all mountain circuits the weather can change quickly at the Red Bull Ring, but the Grand Prix generally takes place in sunny conditions. 

One notable exception was the very wet 1975 race in which Vittorio Brambilla claimed the only win of his career, then famously crashed after taking both hands off the wheel in celebration after crossing the finish line.