The Austrian Grand Prix has appeared on the F1 calendar 27 times and following an 11-year absence, it has returned for the 2014 season.
The Red Bull Ring has changed drastically since it first hosted a Formula 1 race in 1970 - when it was then known as the Österreichring - but both layouts have created some incredible racing. Here are just a few memorable moments.
A controversial win
Who can forget the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix? Rubens Barrichello dramatically relinquished the lead – following orders from the Ferrari team - at the finish line to give his team-mate and championship leader Michael Schumacher the victory.
Following jeers from the crowd, Schumacher insisted that Barrichello stood on the top step of the podium. He also handed the winner’s trophy to the Brazilian. As Ferrari and the team’s two drivers had failed to observe Article 170 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations concerning the podium ceremony, they were fined $1 million.
A near identical situation had taken place at the A1-Ring (as it was then called) in the previous season, although on that occasion Barrichello handed second place to Schumacher.
A heavy hit
The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix is also remembered for a huge crash between Nick Heidfeld and Takuma Sato at turn two. The Sauber driver spun across the infield of the corner following a rear suspension failure, with the rear of his car hitting the right-hand side of Sato’s Jordan at high speed.
The safety car was deployed while both drivers were removed from their heavily damaged cars and received medical attention. Fortunately both drivers escaped with only minor injuries.
A very close finish
The 1982 Austrian Grand Prix looked set to be dominated by Nelson Piquet and Riccardo Patrese, after the two Brabham drivers had locked out the front row of the grid. However, both retired in dramatic fashion mid-way through the race.
Alain Prost took over the lead but a mechanical failure forced him to park his car at the side of the track with five laps remaining. Elio de Angelis moved to the front but he had to hold off a charging Keke Rosberg on the final lap, winning his first F1 race by just 0.050 seconds. It is one of the closest finishes in the sport’s history.
Crashing at the flag
The 1975 Austrian Grand Prix got off to a delayed start. After the grid had formed, rain started to fall at various points on the circuit and the whole field pitted for wets tyres. The start took place 45 minutes later, with pole-sitter Niki Lauda holding on to first.
His car wasn’t set up for the wet conditions and he was soon passed by James Hunt and Vittorio Brambilla, who had jumped from eighth to third in the early stages. The March driver then took the lead when Hunt’s engine dropped to seven cylinders.
The weather conditions became so atrocious that the chequered flag was flown early on lap 29. Incredibly, just as Brambilla crossed the line, he spun across the circuit and crashed into the barrier. The front of the car was damaged but he managed to complete his celebratory lap back to the pits to pick up the winner's trophy.
Start line drama
The start of the 1987 Austrian Grand Prix was dramatic to say the least. Martin Brundle found the wall in his Zakspeed on the run uphill to turn one, with Jonathan Palmer, Philippe Streiff and Piercarlo Ghinzani also crashing.
On the second attempt, a huge pile-up took place after drivers attempted to avoid the slow Williams of Nigel Mansell. Around half of the field were involved and it caused the race to be stopped. The third start took place a few hours later and was incident-free, with Mansell eventually going on to win the race.
Up in the air
Jean Alesi and Eddie Irvine collided in spectacular style during the 1997 Austrian Grand Prix, the first race on the new A1-Ring layout. The Frenchman attempted to make a move on the Ferrari driver at turn two but they collided, which sent his Benetton over the top of Irvine’s car.
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| © Ferrari |
A controversial win
Who can forget the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix? Rubens Barrichello dramatically relinquished the lead – following orders from the Ferrari team - at the finish line to give his team-mate and championship leader Michael Schumacher the victory.
Following jeers from the crowd, Schumacher insisted that Barrichello stood on the top step of the podium. He also handed the winner’s trophy to the Brazilian. As Ferrari and the team’s two drivers had failed to observe Article 170 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations concerning the podium ceremony, they were fined $1 million.
A near identical situation had taken place at the A1-Ring (as it was then called) in the previous season, although on that occasion Barrichello handed second place to Schumacher.
A heavy hit
The safety car was deployed while both drivers were removed from their heavily damaged cars and received medical attention. Fortunately both drivers escaped with only minor injuries.
A very close finish
The 1982 Austrian Grand Prix looked set to be dominated by Nelson Piquet and Riccardo Patrese, after the two Brabham drivers had locked out the front row of the grid. However, both retired in dramatic fashion mid-way through the race.
Alain Prost took over the lead but a mechanical failure forced him to park his car at the side of the track with five laps remaining. Elio de Angelis moved to the front but he had to hold off a charging Keke Rosberg on the final lap, winning his first F1 race by just 0.050 seconds. It is one of the closest finishes in the sport’s history.
Crashing at the flag
The 1975 Austrian Grand Prix got off to a delayed start. After the grid had formed, rain started to fall at various points on the circuit and the whole field pitted for wets tyres. The start took place 45 minutes later, with pole-sitter Niki Lauda holding on to first.
His car wasn’t set up for the wet conditions and he was soon passed by James Hunt and Vittorio Brambilla, who had jumped from eighth to third in the early stages. The March driver then took the lead when Hunt’s engine dropped to seven cylinders.
Start line drama
The start of the 1987 Austrian Grand Prix was dramatic to say the least. Martin Brundle found the wall in his Zakspeed on the run uphill to turn one, with Jonathan Palmer, Philippe Streiff and Piercarlo Ghinzani also crashing.
On the second attempt, a huge pile-up took place after drivers attempted to avoid the slow Williams of Nigel Mansell. Around half of the field were involved and it caused the race to be stopped. The third start took place a few hours later and was incident-free, with Mansell eventually going on to win the race.
Up in the air
Jean Alesi and Eddie Irvine collided in spectacular style during the 1997 Austrian Grand Prix, the first race on the new A1-Ring layout. The Frenchman attempted to make a move on the Ferrari driver at turn two but they collided, which sent his Benetton over the top of Irvine’s car.
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