Mark Webber believes Austrian GP return is good for F1

Mark Webber

Mark Webber believes the return of the Austrian Grand Prix will prove the value of Formula 1 revisiting European tracks with established F1 tradition.

The vast majority of additions to the F1 schedule in recent years have been in entirely new territories for the championship – such as India and Korea – or brand new circuits in countries already familiar with F1, such as Austin in America and Valencia in Spain.

The Red Bull-owned Spielberg track hosted F1 in its original, super-fast, Osterreichring layout from 1970-87.

A redeveloped version known as the A1-Ring then brought the Austrian GP back from 1997-2003.

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant and I was really happy to see F1 is going back to a super-traditional venue,” said Webber.

“There have been so many grands prix there in the past. We’ve lost a lot of that with the grands prix we have gone to in the last six or seven years, so it’s great to return to a venue with so much feel-good factor, and such a great location tucked into the mountains.”

He believes Austria will be more successful than many of the all-new grands prix of recent seasons.

“The timing is right for them to have a grand prix. Along with America, it’s one of our best additions we’ve had in the last few years,” Webber said.

“Obviously there have been some that haven’t been super-strong, let’s say, but this one is. It will work great.

“And for Austria, it’s brilliant medicine for the country. It’s not easy in Europe now.”