Sebastian Vettel wants the Austrian Grand Prix to return to F1 calendar – Formula 1 news
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has stated that he wants Formula 1 to return in Austria with the Austrian Grand Prix so that the team could have a home race.
“I was at the inauguration and had the chance to drive there. The track is completely formula one-compatible,” the German said during a celebratory event in Graz, Austria. “I don’t know why we (F1) don’t go there. For us (Red Bull) it would be great for
it to be our home grand prix.”
The Austrian GP was last held during the 2003 F1 season which is five years before Vettel had a full racing season in F1 with Red Bull. Michael Schumacher who was driving for Ferrari at that time won the 2003 Grand Prix. The circuit chosen for the race was
formerly known as the A1 Ring. The track has been completely renewed and has now been renamed as the Red Bull Ring. The Austrian Billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz who is also cofounder of the Red Bull Beverage company owns it. He then bought the Jaguar Formula
1 team to rename it as Red Bull Racing.
After the last race in 2003, the track was demolished and Mateschitz has spent a huge amount of money to rebuild it. The Billionaire said that the track is ready for reopening. While F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone, has hinted about the F1 race returning to Austria,
Mateschitz thinks that it is very unlikely. He said that in terms of the tracks that have been introduced recently and the ones that will be, it might not be possible for F1 to return to Red Bull’s hometown.
Former three times F1 champion, Niki Lauda, is also of the same opinion that the return might not be possible because there are still many hurdles to overcome but then it is hard to say as nobody knows what Mateschitz might be planning. Besides Vettel, Schumacher
has also expressed his wish for the return of the race.
Red Bull Racing is actually based in Milton Keynes, England but holds an Austrian racing licence. Mateschitz also owns Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso.
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