Vettel urges Formula One return to Austria for Red Bull home race
Sebastian Vettel has called for Formula One to return to Austria, saying the revamped Red Bull Ring is ready and would give Red Bull Racing a genuine home grand prix.
Sebastian Vettel has said he wants Formula One to return to Austria, arguing that the Red Bull Ring is ready to host a grand prix and would give Red Bull Racing a proper home race. Speaking at an event in Graz in late 2012, Vettel described the Spielberg circuit as fully F1-compatible after its extensive refurbishment.
The circuit, previously called the A1-Ring, last featured on the Formula One calendar in 2003. Since then, it has been purchased and extensively modernised by Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. The venue was relaunched as the Red Bull Ring, with facilities and safety features updated to meet current standards.
Vettel, who drove at the inauguration of the revamped track, said he could not see any technical reason preventing Formula One from returning to Austria. He pointed out that the circuit now meets all requirements for modern F1 racing and would be a natural fit for Red Bull, which had become a dominant force in the sport with three consecutive drivers’ titles by the end of 2012.
Austrian roots and Red Bull’s ambitions
Red Bull’s investment in the Spielberg circuit followed the company’s rapid rise in Formula One. By 2012, Red Bull Racing and its sister team Toro Rosso were both owned by Mateschitz, making Austria a logical location for a team-backed grand prix. The push for an Austrian race reflected both commercial and national interests, with Red Bull seeking to showcase its brand and give local fans a high-profile event.
The return of Austria to the F1 calendar was not confirmed at the time of Vettel’s comments, but the momentum for a home race was growing. For Red Bull, hosting a grand prix on home soil would offer a unique marketing opportunity and allow the team to race in front of Austrian fans.
What changed after Vettel’s call
Following Vettel’s statement, Formula One did return to Austria. The Red Bull Ring hosted its first modern F1 race in June 2014, restoring the Austrian Grand Prix to the calendar after an eleven-year absence. The event has since become a regular fixture, cementing Red Bull’s influence in the sport and giving Austria a prominent place in the championship once more.
Vettel’s push for an Austrian grand prix reflected the ambitions of both the driver and Red Bull at the height of their success. The modern Red Bull Ring continues to serve as a symbol of the company’s commitment to Formula One and its Austrian heritage.
