MAY 3, 2003

More developments at the A1 Ring

The A1 Ring, which will host the last Austrian Grand Prix in a fortnight from now, has recently been acquired by Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz, who has plans for a huge redevelopment scheme.

The A1 Ring, which will host the last Austrian Grand Prix in a fortnight from now, has recently been acquired by Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz, who has plans for a huge redevelopment scheme. Mateschitz is keen to create a facility which will make money while also providing facilities for the local economy. It is rumoured that he will employ racing consultant Philippe Gurdjian to try to make this happen. Mateschitz would like to see a Grand Prix in Austria again but it is not a priority.

Gurdjian used to be the organiser of the French GP but in recent years has been one of Bernie Ecclestone's fixers and has helped Malaysia and Spain develop their events while also overseeing the reconstruction of the Paul Ricard circuit for Ecclestone.

Ironically Hans Geist, the current Austrian GP organiser, is expected to be taken on as the project manager of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Geist spent several hours negotiating with a delegation of Bahraini officials who visited the Spanish GP in Barcelona.