Formula 1
Berger has hopes for Austria
Gerhard Berger has hopes that the Austrian Grand Prix will be reinstated to the Formula One calendar, despite this year looking like the last race at the A1-Ring. Tobacco advertising bans are the reason for Austria being cut from the schedule, the ...
Published: May 10, 2003, 1:22 PM
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Gerhard Berger has hopes that the Austrian Grand Prix will be reinstated to the Formula One calendar, despite this year looking like the last race at the A1-Ring. Tobacco advertising bans are the reason for Austria being cut from the schedule, the same cause of Spa-Francorchamps not being included on this year's calendar. Berger is not sure his support will make any difference but he is willing to try.
Gerhard Berger.
Photo by Brousseau Photo.
"The circuit is modern and safe, the race interesting and the crowd involved," he told Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung. "The problem, however, is the prohibition of tobacco ads; this is where we would have to get things moving. These are circumstances that have always existed and that does not mean that there won't be Formula 1 in Austria ever again."
"Because Austria has always been close to my heart; and if I can do a good turn, I will be happy to do so. I am not quite sure, however, if my support would help in any way because of the tobacco issue."
Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz recently bought the A1-Ring and plans extensive improvements to the circuit, which Berger believes will help the cause: "Then it will be the largest race circuit worldwide and, at some point, I am sure that Formula 1 will be there again," he said.
This year Berger, who steps down as BMW motorsport director after this season, will not be attending his home race: "Of course, I would love to be at the race in Austria," he explained. "But if I went to Spielberg, I would also have to work, there is no choice."
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