For the first time in years, the Grand Prix of Austria is not sold out. Even on the Verstappen stands, chairs remain empty. The Dutch public in particular no longer travels as massively to Spielberg as a few years ago.
The television cameras are still trying to disguise the image, but those who are present on the Red Bull Ring this weekend cannot ignore it. Numerous empty places can be seen in the stands. Even on Saturday during qualifying, the chairs are very moderately occupied.
There is still party music on the campsites around the Red Bull Ring. Yves Berendse echoes from the speakers, André Hazes comes by every now and then. But the Germans and Austrians are no longer in the minority on and around the home circuit of Red Bull.
The trend is unmistakable. With fewer Dutch people than previous years, the Grand Prix of Austria is not sold out. Even on Saturday – traditionally just like Sunday a peak day – there are still tickets for sale. At the cash register. Online. On the official site. A stark contrast with previous editions, where you usually had to buy a ticket a year in advance to be sure of your place.
Orange cloth must hide empty chairs
On a part of the Verstappen grandstand in the central area, even a large orange cloth is stretched, probably to mask for the helicopter shots that the seats are empty. Where it felt like 70 to 80 percent of the public in peak years, it is now an estimated less than half.
“It is clearly quieter than other years,” says Kevin from Eemnes. He traveled to Spielberg with a large group of friends of more than twenty people. Many of them have been coming for years, with an old coach that they have converted their own hands into Red Bull bus. Founded at the campsite, party tent in front of the door.
This Saturday morning the sunglasses hang a bit crooked on their faces after a heavy but undoubtedly beautiful evening. “Maybe because Max no longer automatically wins, people stay away,” he says. “But the atmosphere remains great. And honestly, Austria is not too bad in terms of price. Zandvoort is much more expensive.”
His father Ronald is for the first time this year. “They have also often been to other circuits, but I heard from everyone that Austria is the Grand Prix where you must have been once. And indeed, we are having a good time.”
‘The masses that it wanted to experience once’ has been ‘
Everyone in Spielberg endorses that the atmosphere is still good. But the reason that it is quieter is possibly deeper than Red Bulls Vormdip. Many people who wanted to experience it once have been.
Cheaper than other circuits or not, also a weekend on the Red Bull Ring quickly costs hundreds of euros, even with the cheapest ticket of around 150 euros. Then you don’t have a fixed seat, but you are in the grass. Transport, camping spots, drinks and food are added.
Bas van Bodegraven notices that too. He managed to turn his hobby into his profession and runs his own Formula 1 ticket agency. Together with his wife, he goes off all European races in a camper. “It is indeed less busy,” he says. “But that doesn’t have to be bad. The masses that it wanted to experience once has been. What remains are the enthusiasts.”
For him as an entrepreneur it is exciting. “Sometimes you don’t lose your cards, but that is also a risk of the profession. We do not do this work to get rich. We now see that the real fans are left. All nationalities are mixed up. That used to be, fans of Ferrari and McLaren mixed up. That is also the charm of Formula 1.”
‘Verstappen to Mercedes? Then the bus becomes silver ‘
The contrast with the years before and after Corona is great. Then the Dutch relocated en masse to circuits such as Spa, Spielberg and Budapest. In Austria, the number of an estimated height rose to 70,000.
This year, according to gross estimates, there are at most 25,000 to 30,000. The organization does not want to say anything about that, just as they have never done in earlier years.
But it is striking: it is precisely during the weekend in which Toto Wolff openly confirms that he is talking about a future at Mercedes with Verstappen, the Red Bull Ring remains half -leash. “If Max really switches, everything could just start again from the front,” says Van Bodegraven. “Then there might be a new impulse and the hype flares up again.”
And then that bus from Eemnes, completely colored in Red Bull-blue? Kevin laughs. “Then we just make it silver. That doesn’t matter to us. Next year we will be there again.”
For the first time in years, The Austrian Grand Prix is not sold out. Even on the Verstappen stands, Seats Remain Empty. ESpeciate the Dutch Public No Longer Travels to Spielberg as Massively as a Few Years ago.
The television cameras try to conceal the image, but anyone who is present at the red bull ring this weekend cannot ignore it. There are many empty spots in the stands. Even on Saturday.
However, Party Music Can Still Be Heard At The Campsites Around the Red Bull Ring. Yves Berendse Echoes from the Speakers, André Hazes Passes by Every now and then. But the Germans and Austrian’s are no longer in the minority on and around Red Bull’s Home Circuit.
The Trend is Unmistakable. With Fewer Dutch People than in Previous Years, The Austrian Grand Prix is not sold out. Even on Saturday – Traditionally a Peak Day Like Sunday – Tickets Are Still for Sale. At the Box Office. Online. On the official site. A stark contrast with previous editions, where you usually had to buy a ticket a year in advance to be sure of your place.
Orange Cloth Must Conceal Empty Seats
On a part of the Verstappen Grandstand in the Center Area, A Large Orange Has Has Been Stretched, Probably to Mask For The Helicopter Shots That The Seats Are Empty. Where in peak years it felt like 70 to 80 percent of the audience was Dutch, it is now estimated to be less than half.
“It is clearly quieter than other years,” Says Kevin from Eemnes. He Traveled to Spielberg with a Large Group of Friends of More Than Twenty People. Many of Them Been Coming For Years, With An Old Touring Car That they have converted Into a Red Bull Bus Themselves. Stored at the campsite, Party tent in front of the Door.
This Saturday morning the sunglasses hang a bit crooked on their faces after a tough but undoubtedly beautiful equing. “Maybe People are Staying Away because Max Doesn’tn’tn’t Automatically Win Anymore,” He says. “But the Atmosphere Remains Great. And Honestly, in Terms of Price, Austria is really not that bad. Zandvoort is much more Expendive.”
His Father Ronald is Joining This Year for the First Time. “They have often leg to other circuits, but I heard everyone that austria is the grand prix where you have to have leg once. And indeed, we are having a good time.”
‘The Crowd That Wanted to Experience It Once Has Been’
Everyone in Spielberg Agrees that the atmosphere is still good. But the reason it is Quieter May Be Deeper Than Red Bull’s Dip in Form. Many people who wanted to experience it once have now leg.
Cheaper than other circuits or not, just a weekend at the red bull ring quickly costs hundreds of Euros, even with the cheapest ticket or around 150 euros. Then you don’t have a fixed seat, but you sit in the grass. Transport, camping spots, drinks and food are added to that.
Bas van Bodegraven also notices this. He has managed to turn his hobby into his professional and runs his own formula 1 ticket agency. Together with his wife, he travels to all European races in a camper. “It is Indeed Less Busy,” He says. “But that Doesn’t Have To Be Bad. The Crowd That Wanted to Experience It Once Has Been. What Remains are the Enthusiasts.”
For him as an entrepreneur it is exciting. “Sometimes you don’t get rid of your tickets, but that is also a risk of the professional. We don’t do this work to get rich. We now see the real fans remain. All nationalities are mixed up. That’s how it always thraren and mecharari is fans of fans or fans of fans or fans of fans or fans or fans or fans of fans or fans or fans or fans or fans or fans or fans or fans. Charm of Formula 1. “
‘Verstappen to Mercedes? Then the Bus Turns Silver ‘
The contrast with the years before and after corona is great. At that time, Dutch People Moved and Masse to Circuits Such As Spa, Spielberg and Budapest. In Austria, The Number was Estimated to be up to 70,000 at its peak.
This year, accordance to rough estimates, there are at most 25,000 to 30,000. The Organization does not want to say anything about this, as they never have in previous years.
But it is striking: it is precisely in the weekend in which toto wolff openly confirms that he is talking to verstappen about a future at mercedes that the red bull ring remains half empty. “If Max Really Switches, Everything Could Just Start all over again,” Says van Bodegraven. “Then there might be a new impulse and the hype flares up again.”
And that bus from Eemnes, completely colored in Red Bull Blue? Kevin Laughs. “Then we’ll just make it silver. We don’t care. We’ll be there again next year anyway.”
