Readers‘ Experiences at the Red Bull Ring – 2025 Austrian GP

Mike, Joanna and Willi share their expertise attending the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix on the Crimson Bull Ring.

2026 Austria F1 Tickets / F1 Experiences / Graz Lodging / Austria F1 Fb group

The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix will probably be held on June 26-28

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Mike from the USA

Total, we had a reasonably good weekend in Austria, however this race could also be a ‘one and achieved’ in my e-book. For reference, I’ve been to COTA and Montreal earlier than. The lack of the dash format was an enormous loss to the in-person expertise and worth, in my view. I want we had waited till they introduced the dash calendar earlier than shopping for tickets.

The surroundings surrounding the Crimson Bull Ring was lovely, with a backdrop of mountains, multi-turn views from many grandstands and plenty of elevation modifications. Comparable if not higher than COTA. The potential of an incredible race weekend is there. The climate was fairly brutal, even for somebody from the southern U.S. It was nearly as scorching as at COTA. This was clearly out of our management, however the climate nearly single handedly zapped your entire expertise and vibe of the group on Sunday.

We actually loved the Euro tenting/pageant vibes and native tradition on the Crimson Bull Ring. The Mercedes truck techno bro pool social gathering factor was hilarious. The airshow and nationwide anthem with the helicopter hanging the Austrian flag was fairly epic. Everybody was very nice total. 

The group was fairly strong total, trackside costs had been considerably reasonably priced for a big occasion, and the organizers had been fairly lenient about letting followers herald their very own foods and drinks. Crowds and queues had been throughout the realm of expectations for an occasion like this.

We stayed in Graz and took the prepare to Knittelfeld every day, adopted by the shuttle bus to and from the circuit. If attainable, I’d keep nearer to the observe subsequent time. Graz was an incredible base and far bigger than I anticipated, however attending to and from the observe took round 2.5 hours every time. This meant we had minimal time to see or do something in Graz, and barely sufficient time to seize dinner after an extended day on the observe. This wasn’t helped by the truth that many eating places stopped serving meals after 9pm.

Between catching the native Graz metropolis bus from our resort to the prepare station (15-20 minutes), taking the Einfach Raus/Styria leisure regional prepare to Knittelfeld (1.75 hours), Knittelfeld shuttle to the observe (15-20 minutes) and at last half-hour to stroll, queue for safety and enter, we misplaced half of every day in transit! Staying in Knittelfeld and solely having to take the shuttle could be rather more handy!

We purchased the Crimson Bull C,D,E Nook Hopping bundle, the place you sit in a unique grandstand every day. Total we actually favored it, and it was cool to pattern completely different viewpoints. We had been actually shocked by the Begin-Ziel (Foremost) grandstand on Friday. 

I’m unsure whether it is particular to this race, however the audio expertise was on a unique degree because the sounds of the automotive appeared to resonate throughout the grandstand construction. The views of the pits had been additionally very cool. The Steiermark grandstand on Saturday was additionally actually good, but when I had the selection, I might decide larger up seats in part A or B of the Crimson Bull grandstand for race day to get higher views of the infield. 

On race day, we sat in part C of the Crimson Bull Grandstand and it was total fairly good. The one draw back is that the seats allotted to Nook Hopping packages are fairly low (we had been in row 9). If we come to the race once more, we might simply do Sat and Solar individually, and check out to decide on the Begin-Ziel (Foremost) grandstand for Saturday and both the Crimson Bull A/B (row 20 or larger) or T3 grandstand for the race. The entire grandstands we sat in had entry to water, bogs, foods and drinks concessions, and first rate observe audio and visual screens. They weren’t giving out free Amex radios at this race. 

I might suggest this location for those who’re considerably native or primarily based in Europe, or for those who’re touring from additional away and add a while to discover the area earlier than or after the race. I’m unsure I might be capable of justify solely going to the race if touring a great distance. We added on a roadtrip via the Alps and loved this as a lot or possibly greater than the precise race, to be sincere.

Total, I’m glad I went, but it surely is likely to be my final in-person F1 expertise. The trouble/enjoyable/consolation ratio is waning and I’m slightly bored with baking within the solar for a number of days in a sea of individuals for an opportunity to look at a mediocre race, all of which requires a good quantity of journey planning and logistics.

Joanna from the UK

Having simply skilled my first F1 weekend as a UK customer, right here’s my ideas for F1/Austria newbies for subsequent yr. We flew in from London to Vienna and stayed in a resort in Vienna, selecting to journey to the circuit by prepare every day. 

We had T10 grandstand passes for the weekend. Firstly, it might appear apparent however the circuit is hilly! Very hilly! Wherever from T3 to T8 grandstands, you could have some severe uphill strolling to do. Coupled with the heatwave and 30° temperatures we had, it made the stroll troublesome (and we had been fortunate to be pretty low down in T10). 

I’d positively think about the elevated value of the coated Begin/End grandstand for those who wrestle to take a seat within the solar. I do know the climate received’t at all times be the identical however Austria in June is at all times going to be scorching (and with a excessive likelihood of thunderstorms!).

The shuttle buses from the observe to Knittelfeld prepare station had been environment friendly and dependable. Not as soon as did now we have to attend for transport. Each time we arrived at Knittelfeld there was a shuttle bus ready, and on leaving the observe there was a queue of buses ready for us. The one draw back was a stroll of roughly quarter-hour from the observe to the shuttle buses. After the race, we had been again in Knittelfeld inside an hour and I’m not a fast walker 

Lastly, we stayed in Vienna and though the trains had been ridiculously low cost (in comparison with the price of UK trains) and the surroundings is attractive, it’s nonetheless 2.5 hours every approach to and from the observe. I’d positively pay extra to remain nearer to the circuit subsequent time as we left the resort at 7am every morning and didn’t get again till 9.30-10pm every night time. Graz was extremely popular once I researched. A great deal of those that had been staying in Graz acquired on the prepare at Bruck. I hadn’t thought of Graz, however I’ll positively have a look at staying there if I return to this race.

All in all we had a wonderful weekend and would extremely suggest Austria. Bucket checklist ticked!

Willi from Austria

I had Paddock Membership tickets and total a really completely different expertise than most of you. No queues for drinks or meals 🙂 With a paddock membership ticket you possibly can drive on to the primary entrance passing all of the checks. There’s a shuttle that brings you from the car parking zone to the paddock membership entrance in case you are too lazy to stroll for 5 minutes. On the entrance you scan your cross and get a wristband. (The parking sticker is absolutely robust to get off after the race!)

You’re greeted with a glass of champagne and may take photos with a reproduction of the motive force and constructor trophy on the entrance. The observe tour on the truck for the drivers’ parade and the picture safari (at Turns 5-6)  had been tremendous attention-grabbing. For the picture safari, you had to enroll early within the morning since they solely had about fifteen spots obtainable. The pit lane walks every day had been nice as effectively, particularly watching the mechanics heat up and seeing observe pit stops up shut. 

The F2 and F3 paddock tour with an skilled host was one thing for actual followers. Final yr, Christian Mansell defined his F3 automotive and confirmed us how DRS works. This wasn’t included within the tour this yr, sadly. There have been additionally some talks and interviews with F2 and F3 racing drivers however I didn’t attend them.

I really feel that 90% of the visitors within the Paddock Membership couldn’t identify greater than three drivers. Most visitors had been in all probability invited by sponsors or got the tickets. You hardly see anybody truly following the classes. I ended up watching the beginning of the race from the lounge on an enormous display screen. Watching a pit cease from above was nonetheless a spectacular factor to see. Part of the terrace immediately overlooks the rostrum, however in fact it was fully full.

They’d F1 simulators operating the official recreation, however you couldn’t flip off brake help, which made it not very enjoyable. The meals from Do&Co was good with loads of choices, however nothing too particular. Unusually, they didn’t have any Crimson Bull drinks this yr.

One of the best a part of the Paddock Membership ticket was truly the complete entry to the assist paddock for F2, F3 and the Porsche Supercup. It was mainly one lengthy pit lane, with F2 tents on one aspect and F3 tents on the opposite. You possibly can stroll round freely and watch the groups work on the automobiles. The mechanics had been glad to reply questions. We had been there earlier than and after the classes. It was wonderful to face simply half a meter away from the automobiles as they lined as much as depart for the F1 pit lane. These automobiles are extraordinarily loud. After every session, you can watch the automobiles return to parc fermé and stroll throughout the entire pit lane for weighing. Some drivers had been greeted by family and friends. It was complete chaos when F3 returned and F2 had been coming into the observe on the similar time!  You possibly can simply find yourself blocking a automotive or mechanic. Generally you needed to step right into a storage tent simply to get out of the way in which. You had been proper in the midst of the motion.

Do you get to see F1 drivers? The Paddock Membership ticket doesn’t offer you entry to the precise F1 paddock, however you possibly can wait within the morning close to the paddock entrance (proper subsequent to the Paddock Membership entrance), or attempt to spot a driver from the balcony overlooking the paddock. You may as well see into the primary ground of every motorhome from there. There may be one F1 storage tour included which was proper within the morning earlier than many of the employees had arrived.

Till this yr, parking proper in entrance of the primary entrance was included with the ticket. Now it’s important to pay €150 further. You get to the freeway pretty rapidly after every day, however you’ll nonetheless find yourself caught in visitors. I solely misplaced about 20 minutes this yr after the race, however I assume that relies upon quite a bit on what number of building websites are on the freeway. This yr it was faster than final yr.

I didn’t must pay something for the ticket, however actually I don’t assume it’s well worth the cash. I might relatively pay for a assist paddock cross (for F2 and F3) and watch the race from the Flip 3 grandstand.

In Transient

The next feedback are from members of our Going to the Austrian Grand Prix group on Fb who attended the occasion.

Conrad: We stayed in Vienna and determined to drive every day forwards and backwards. This was trouble-free on Friday and Saturday, when it took 2.0-2.5 hours every means. After the race on Sunday we acquired within the automotive at 6:13pm and acquired again to our resort at 11.53pm. 5 hours to get house after the race. We might positively think about staying nearer to the Crimson Bull Ring subsequent time.

Natalie: First time on the Crimson Bull Ring for us. Flew from Bristol to Vienna, then employed a automotive. We stayed in a gorgeous village known as Steinberg-Oberberg, which is round 15 minutes from Graz. Drove to the circuit daily (took simply over an hour). Parking was nice Friday and Saturday however Sunday it was horrendous getting out of. We had normal admission tickets which had been nice to be sincere (other than the queue to get in on race day!). Total an incredible weekend and one I’ll subsequent neglect!

Suzzi: We took the bus from Graz and so they acquired us in very effectively however getting out was troublesome as they held the buses again on each Saturday and Sunday. We had been again in Graz round 9pm each days so it was lengthy. If I did it once more I’d take the prepare from Graz so then a minimum of you even have the liberty to remain/ go on the observe after the race.  We needed to rush again for the bus solely to be sat for ages ready to get out. Scorching temperatures and never a lot shade anyplace, so it’s essential be ready for it. Such an superior observe although, totally suggest the race itself. We had a blast!