WILLIAMS RACE DAY HOSPITALITY: Austria F1 GP 2023
On 2nd July 2023 we were back at the Williams Experience Centre for ‘Race Day Hospitality’. This week was for the AUSTRIA F1 GP.
The Austrian Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014 after an eleven-year hiatus. It’s hosted at the picturesque Red Bull Ring, the most recent incarnation of the Österreichring circuit, which debuted back in 1970.
The original Österreichring circuit, measuring just under 6km, was comprised of a series of high-speed corners and elevation changes with little in the way of run off areas. American driver Mark Donohue lost his life following an accident in 1975, prompting the addition of a chicane to slow speeds on the fastest section of the circuit. Nevertheless, the Österreichring remained frighteningly fast; in 1987, Nelson Piquet’s pole lap averaged a blistering 159.457 mph (255.756 km/h). In the same year, the deficiencies of the circuit – notably the narrow start-finish straight – were highlighted by two huge crashes on the opening lap, which saw the race restarted twice.
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This was the final nail in the coffin for the original circuit, which was deemed unsafe for the era’s hugely powerful turbo cars. The Österreichring lost its place on the F1 calendar in 1988 and wouldn’t return for another ten years, despite updates to the circuit in the interim years, including the widening of the pit straight and the redesign of the fearsome Bosch Curve.
When it did return in 1997, the circuit had a new layout and a new name, the A1-Ring, thanks to its funding from a telecommunications company. Hermann Tilke, the track designer known for designing many of today’s F1 tracks, went to town on the original layout. It was in fact Tilke’s first major commission. Few of the fast, sweeping corners were retained for the shortened 4.3km circuit. The A1-Ring hosted seven Austrian GPs between 1997-2003, with two wins apiece for Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher.
The A1 Ring was not a money maker however, and was removed from the calendar for 2004 because of Austria’s support for anti-tobacco legislation in the EU. Enter Dietrich Mateschitz, the founder of Red Bull, who purchased the circuit and announced big redevelopment plans. No sooner had work got underway however, including demolishing the existing pit buildings, when local authorities upheld environmental complaints and halted work on the track.
It remained idle for six years until Mateschitz finally completed a less ambitious revival of the circuit. The newly named Red Bull Ring opened in 2011. It wasn’t too long before Mateschitz persuaded Bernie Ecclestone to sign a new seven-year Formula 1 hosting contract. The first race was staged in 2014 and attracted a sell-out crowd.
The Red Bull Ring once again hosted two consecutive races in 2021. Max Verstappen won both races, becoming the first driver to win consecutive races in the same country since Damon Hill at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix. While there was a limited number of fans in the grandstands at the Styrian Grand Prix, 132,000 fans were in attendance at the Austrian Grand Prix; at the time, the largest figure since the pandemic began. The event returned with a capacity crowd in 2022.
In March 2023, it was announced that the race promoter, Projekt Spielberg, had signed a four-year contract extension with Formula 1. It means that the Austrian Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar until at least 2027.
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Williams Racing welcomes you to enjoy a Grand Prix Race Day at the Williams Experience Centre.
The day includes a review of qualifying with an exclusive live link up to one of the drivers, live control room link up, VIP guest appearance with interview, refreshments and lunch followed by the live race screening. There is also the opportunity to browse the Williams Grand Prix Collection with a tour guide, as well as testing your speed on our 20 x F1-style driving simulators, our Super-Size Scalextric Track and other activities on the day.
WHAT’S INCLUDED DURING ‘RACE DAY HOSPITALITY’:
ACTIVITIES
- Unlimited use of the Esports lounge, with 20 state of the art simulators
- Our Think Scalextric Bespoke Super-Size Scalextric Track (click the link for more info about out track)
- Batak
- Museum Tour
- In addition you will have the opportunity to browse their shop with exclusive merchandise and 20% off
FOOD
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Unlimited soft drinks
Why not book up on a ‘Race Day Hospitality Experience’ at the Williams Racing Experience Centre. For info visit: williamsf1.com/experience-centre.
LEARN MORE (click below to open pdf)
Below is a video of the Giant Williams Racing Bespoke Track from our YouTube channel.