The Österreichring was an Austrian race circuit which hosted the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix 18 consecutive years, from 1970 through 1987.

After being shortened, rebuilt and renamed A1-Ring, it again hosted races from 1997 through 2003.

The track is located in Spielberg, Styria. The old Österreichring was more often referred to as being located at Zeltweg, which is bigger and better known. However, the circuit was never relocated, only modified.

In addition, the one-off 1964 Austrian Grand Prix was held at Zeltweg Airfield, so this name was already known.

The old Österreichring
The track was known for having many fast corners, as well as noticeable changes in elevation during the course of a lap. Many considered the Österreichring to be dangerous, especially the "Boschkurve", a 180-degree right-hand corner with almost no run-off area. Tragically, American Mark Donohue died after crashing at the "Hella-Licht" corner in 1975. It is also known that four-times World Champion Alain Prost often said that all tracks can be changed but that the Österreichring should remain unchanged, just adding run-off areas would be fine.

Formula One history
Season Date Winning Driver Winning Team
1987 August 16  Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda
1986 August 17  Alain Prost McLaren-TAG
1985 August 18  Alain Prost McLaren-TAG
1984 August 19  Niki Lauda McLaren-TAG
1983 August 14  Alain Prost Renault
1982 August 15  Elio de Angelis Lotus-Ford
1981 August 16  Jacques Laffite Ligier-Matra
1980 August 17  Jean-Pierre Jabouille Renault
1979 August 12  Alan Jones Williams-Ford
1978 August 13  Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford
1977 August 14  Alan Jones Shadow-Ford
1976 August 15  John Watson Penske-Ford
1975 August 17  Vittorio Brambilla March-Ford
1974 August 18  Carlos Reutemann Brabham-Ford
1973 August 19  Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford
1972 August 13  Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus-Ford
1971 August 15  Jo Siffert BRM
1970 August 16  Jacky Ickx Ferrari

The new A1-Ring
Mainly due to safety concerns, the track was abandoned by Formula One for nearly a decade. The circuit was totally rebuilt, at the same site, by Hermann Tilke in 1995 and 1996. The circuit was shortened to 4.326 km (2.684 mi), the fast sweeping corners replaced by three tight righthanders, in order to create overtaking opportunities for F1. Its three long straights, as well as a twisty infield section, asked for a setup compromise.

Renamed A1-Ring (after a sponsor, the cellphone provider A1), the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix was held on it from 1997 to 2003.

Formula One history
Season Date Winning Driver Winning Team
2003 May 18  Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2002 May 12  Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2001 May 13  David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes
2000 July 16  Mika Häkkinen McLaren-Mercedes
1999 July 25  Eddie Irvine Ferrari
1998 July 26  Mika Häkkinen McLaren-Mercedes
1997 September 21  Jacques Villeneuve Williams-Renault

Uncertain status and future
The grandstands and pit buildings were demolished in 2004, rendering the track unusable for any motorsport category. In later 2004 and early 2005, there were intense discussions whether the owner, Red Bull, would find another use for the site or actually bring back motor sports to it. However, as of January 2005, this seems more unlikely than ever, as Dietrich Mateschitz publicly announced that he had no intention to waste money on a deficitary circuit. This failure of the project, which was of considerable importance for the surrounding municipalities, may even have serious political repercussions, as Styrian governor Waltraud Klasnic had strongly supported the project.

In 2006, racing driver, Alex Wurz claimed he would buy the circuit and have it renovated, but little has come about this.

During the whole of 2005, there were speculations of Red Bull Racing renovating the track and using it as a personal testing track in Formula One. It remains to be seen if Mateschitz and his Red Bull Racing will do something about the abandoned track.