Austria returned to the F1 calendar with a redesigned circuit.
The Austrian Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 1997 after a ten-year absence. There was a new circuit, the A1-Ring, built on the site of the old Osterreichring. Although the scenery was just as stunning the circuit lacked the challenge of its predecessor.
The story of the 1997 race was Jarno Trulli’s performance. The Italian, driving for Alain Prost’s team, qualified third and led the race for 37 laps before retiring. Pole sitter Jacques Villeneuve eventually won the race, followed by Coulthard’s McLaren and the other Williams of Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Qualifying in 1998 produced more surprises. A damp track and well-timed laps led to a front row of Giancarlo Fisichella’s Benetton on pole and Jean Alesi’s Sauber next to it. Both of them had their races ruined when they collided with each other. Mika Hakkinen won from his team-mate Coulthard, who put in a spirited drive to recover from being a lap down early on. Michael Schumacher was third for Ferrari.
Eddie Irvine found himself promoted to Ferrari number one in 1999 following Michael Schumacher’s leg-breaking shunt at Silverstone. Irvine delivered in Austria, winning the race from Coulthard. In third was Hakkinen, unhappy at having been touched into a spin by his team-mate.
Coulthard celebrated his 100th Grand Prix start at the 2000 Austrian round but could not beat his team-mate Hakkinen in the race. Rubens Barrichello upheld Ferrari honour by finishing third, after Michael Schumacher had been eliminated on the first lap. After the race McLaren lost ten constructors points for having a FIA seal missing on theengine management system of Hakkinen's car.
In 2001 Coulthard did finally win, beating Michael Schumacher who started from pole. Barrichello had been in second place until a few yards from the flag when he very obviously slowed to allow his team-mate past. Worse was to follow in 2002 when the Ferrari team-mates held a staged finish, with Michael Schumacher declared the winner. The two drivers were booed on the podium as Schumacher sheepishly invited Barrichello to take the top step. Their Ferrari team was later fined $1 million USD by the FIA. Takuma Sato was lucky to escape from a violent collision with Nick Heidfeld’s Sauber during the race.
The final Austrian Grand Prix was held in 2003. Michael Schumacher was again the winner, despite his Ferrari catching fire during a pit-stop. Kimi Raikkonen finished second for McLaren and Barrichello was third in the other Ferrari.
