Max Verstappen once urged Red Bull GmbH to revive the old Österreichring. This track was once known as the fastest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, but was shortened in 1996 to the current Red Bull Ring.
During the modernization of the circuit, famous fast corners like Tiroch, Bosch, and Rindt were modified or removed.
“I asked Red Bull to try to bring it back to how it used to be. A slightly faster first sector would be very cool, but I don’t think that’s possible at the moment,” Verstappen said about his team Red Bull’s home track.
As a pure racing enthusiast, he often revisits old footage. Verstappen: “I’ve seen really cool onboards from the past. I think it’s still a very beautiful circuit now, but I think it would generally be even better if you had that first sector with the fast corners, because then you only have one slow corner. But it’s a cool layout.”
High-Speed Pole Lap by Nelson Piquet
The high speeds were a significant concern on the old Österreichring. To illustrate: in 1987, Nelson Piquet secured pole position with an average speed of 256.621 kilometers per hour. At that time, only the pole lap at Silverstone was marginally faster.
Modern Layout and Spectator Advantage
The modern layout is 1.5 kilometers shorter than the old circuit. Verstappen considers it an advantage that the current track offers a good view for spectators.
Verstappen: “What I like most is that the fans can see a lot of the circuit when they are in a stand. And I think that gives it a special atmosphere, because it feels like you’re a bit more in a kind of arena. For racing and watching the race, it’s definitely one of the best circuits on the calendar.”
The Layout of the Old Österreichring
The layout of the old Österreichring was unique and challenging, offering high-speed thrills for both drivers and spectators alike.
