Austrian Grand Prix

The first event, in 1964, was held at a race track on Zeltweg Airfield. The race was a success, but the track was deemed too dangerous; it was narrow and very bumpy, and spectators complained of poor viewing areas. The FIA removed the race from the F1 calendar until a suitable track was built.

From 1970 until 1987, the event was held at the Österreichring (also located near Zeltweg). These events were moderately successful, but in 1987, this track was also deemed too dangerous, by FIA standards, whereupon the event disappeared for a decade.

In 1995 and 1996, the track was refurbished and brought up to date, which allowed the race to run again in 1997. Since the larger portion of the modernized track, which was renamed A1-Ring after a sponsor, is located on the municipal territory of Spielberg, Spielberg was now given as the site of the Grand Prix. It was a mainstay on the calendar until hosting its final race in 2003. The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix received a lot of negative publicity after Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello to purposefully cede victory to Michael Schumacher; this led to the eventual banning of team orders which "artificially" determined the outcome of a race.

Records