Photo: Red Bull
The French spies of gp-inside have gotten wind of something brewing in Austria for the 2015 MotoGP season. Namely, we might get to see an Austrian round in the next year championship (and possibly beyond). The circuit formerly known as Österreichring is now named the Red bull Ring and has undergone massive updates which made it look as sharp as it gets. And it appears like an official announcement might also be on its way later this week.
It has been 18 years since Austria last hosted a MotoGP round, and hopefully the roar of the prototypes will once more be heard in the municipality of Spielberg, near Zeltweg. The track dates back to 1969, and was considered a very dangerous one, due to sharp turns, steep slopes, a narrow asphalt strip and with little run-off clearance.
1995 brings heavy modernization, with the track redesigned by the famous Hermann Tilke, who has redesigned the track almost entirely, shortening it and refining all the curves. Österreichring became A1 ring, bearing the name of an Austrian telephony operator who had invested massively in the makeover. 1996 and 1997 brings two more MotoGP rounds, won by Alex Criville and Mick Doohan.
In 2005, the Austrian circuit was bought by Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull, and rebuilt completely according to the modern standards for both the facilities such a complex must offer and safety regulations for multiple types of road racing events, including the June 22 Formula 1 race.
With Brazil still far from readying the local MotoGP track for 2015, we might see yet another European round added to the calendar, especially as Dorna Sports is obviously looking to add more consistency and competitiveness to the sport.
1995 brings heavy modernization, with the track redesigned by the famous Hermann Tilke, who has redesigned the track almost entirely, shortening it and refining all the curves. Österreichring became A1 ring, bearing the name of an Austrian telephony operator who had invested massively in the makeover. 1996 and 1997 brings two more MotoGP rounds, won by Alex Criville and Mick Doohan.
In 2005, the Austrian circuit was bought by Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull, and rebuilt completely according to the modern standards for both the facilities such a complex must offer and safety regulations for multiple types of road racing events, including the June 22 Formula 1 race.
With Brazil still far from readying the local MotoGP track for 2015, we might see yet another European round added to the calendar, especially as Dorna Sports is obviously looking to add more consistency and competitiveness to the sport.
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