Though the look and feel of the track evoke the sport’s European roots, Red Bull Ring is a relatively modern creation. It first hosted racing in 1969 as the Osterreichring, when it took over the old Zeltweg airfield circuit. F1 had its first grand prix at the new track a year later.
Nestled in the Styrian mountains, Red Bull Ring is nearly 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level, making the Austrian track the highest European circuit on this year’s schedule. This circuit is also second in terms of elevation changes, with 63.5 meters (208 feet, or about 15 stories) between the lowest and highest points of the track.
Red Bull Ring may produce a short lap and has just 10 turns — the fewest of any track on the current calendar — but it packs plenty into the 65 seconds or so drivers spend making the loop.
A range of low-, medium- and high-speed corners break up the long straights, and the circuit features multiple heavy braking zones, such as Turns 1, 3, and 4. The thinner air, nearly half a mile above sea level, coupled with the short distance between corners, makes it harder to cool the car, especially the engine and brakes, to the optimal window.
Get our full track breakdown at the link below.
GO FURTHER
Austrian GP track breakdown: The small but mighty Red Bull Ring takes F1 to the mountains
