Austrian GP Facts and Figures

For a small nation with no major automotive industry, Austria can boast a surprising tradition in grand prix racing. The very first Austrian Grand Prix was run in 1964 at Zeltweg Airfield, a couple of kilometres from its present home. It was won by Lorenzo Bandini in a Ferrari. As for local drivers, their F1 involvement goes back unbroken for three decades and the man who started it all was Jochen Rindt. After the death of his parents during a bombing raid on Hamburg, Rindt grew up with his grandmother in Graz. A visit to the Nurburgring in 1961, when he was 19 years old, was enough to ignite a burning ambition to be a racing driver. His first big win came in the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hour race and his record of 29 Formula 2 victories has never been beaten. Right from the start he was very quick in a Formula 1 car, but it was not until he joined Lotus that he had a machine capable of showing off his talents. Rindt, who was killed in practice for the 1970 Italian GP has the sad distinction of being the sport's only posthumously crowned world champion.

Rindt's school friend Helmut Marko took up the baton. Although less successful, he played an important part in his country's racing history by going on to manage the careers of just about every racing driver to come out of Austria. However, no one but Niki Lauda managed Niki Lauda! While driving for March and BRM, he would call his office regularly to ask if they had received a call from Enzo Ferrari yet. The running joke became reality and Niki Lauda went on to win two of his three titles with the Scuderia. Lauda is one of the sport's most colourful characters. He was given the Last Rites after an horrific accident and fire at the Nurburgring. He came back from the dead to win another title and went from being a pay driver to the first one to earn over a million dollars a year. Today, the keen amateur flyer runs his own airline.

Dieter Quester, Helmut Koinig, Hans Binder, Harald Ertl, Markus Hottinger and Jo Gartner also feature on Austria's F1 Roll of Honour. After them came Gerhard Berger, charismatic and aggressive at the wheel, now in charge of BMW's F1 collaboration with Williams. Karl Wendlinger showed great potential, until a serious accident at Monaco in 1994 effectively ended his career, just two weeks after the death of fellow countryman, Roland Ratzenberger at Imola. Today, the red and white colours of Austria are flown by Benetton's Alex Wurz.

The A1-Ring circuit hosts its fourth Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. It replaces the old Osterreichring, on the same site as the current track. To many it was quite simply the best circuit in the world with a breathtaking collection of climbs, drops and high speed turns. The new layout still makes use of the natural contours provided by the Styrian mountains, but safety concerns mean that most of the ultra-quick corners have gone. However, the fresh mountain air, the excellent viewing facilities and splendid scenery make it a popular venue.

Grand Prix Circuits:
A Tour of Formula 1 Circuits from Starting Grid to Chequered Flag
by Alan Henry  Hardcover (1998)

2001 Austrian Formula One Grand Prix

Lap

Race Report

RACE END

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INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL

The International Court of Appeal met at 9:30 a.m. in Paris to examine the appeal introduced by the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association (MSA - United Kingdom) on behalf of team Lucky Strike Reynard British American Racing Honda against Stewards' decision number 44 of the 2001 Austrian Grand Prix (rejection of the protest lodged by the team Lucky Strike Reynard British American Racing Honda against car number 17 - Kimi Räikkönen, Red Bull Sauber Petronas - for alleged overtaking under yellow flags).

The judges are Mr.Hervé de Liedekerke (Belgium), elected Chairman, and Messrs. Javier Conesa Ybran (Spain), Vassilis Koussis (Greece) and Reginald Redmond (Ireland).

The hearing started at 10.00 a.m.

The decision will be announced tomorrow, 2 June, early afternoon.

Paris, 1 June 2001.

2001 FORMULA ONE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
DECISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL

The International Court of Appeal met in Paris on 1 June 2001 in order to examine the appeal brought by the Royal Automobile Club - Motor Sports Association (MSA - United Kingdom) on behalf of the team Lucky Strike Reynard British American Racing Honda (British licence-holder) against the decision of the Stewards of the 2001 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix (document number 44 - rejection of the protest lodged by the team Lucky Strike Reynard British American Racing Honda against car number 17 - Kimi Räikkönen, Red Bull Sauber Petronas - for alleged overtaking under yellow flags).

Having listened to the explanations of all the parties involved and examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court rejected the appeal and decided to confirm the Stewards' decision (document number 44) of the 2001 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix.

The results of this event are therefore final.

The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr. Hervé de Liedekerke (Belgium) and was composed of Messrs. Xavier Conesa Ybran (Spain), Vassilis Koussis (Greece) and Reginald Redmond (Ireland).

The full text of the International Court of Appeal's decision is available, on request, from the secretariat of the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris.

Paris, 2 June 2001