When Austria returned to the MotoGP™ calendar in 2016, the event was named Best Grand Prix – and three years later the myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich reclaims the honour as the Red Bull Ring event has once again been voted best of the season by IRTA and ratified by the Grand Prix Commission.
Nearly 200,000 people flocked to the picturesque Spielberg circuit in 2019 and they were treated to one of the most spectacular races of recent years: a duel between reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and key rival Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) that went down to the final corner, with Dovizioso pulling off the perfect lunge to defeat the number 93 and claim his second win at the venue since MotoGP™ returned to the Red Bull Ring in 2016.
Dietrich Mateschitz, CEO of Red Bull: “When we last won the award we might have had the bonus of being the rookie on the calendar. Since then we have become a fixed stop in the MotoGP season. Therefore, we are incredibly pleased and honored that the insiders, the teams, the drivers and the mechanics voted for us to be the best Grand Prix of the year again. Styrian hospitality, the enthusiasm of the Austrian MotoGP fans and our love for motorsport obviously complement each other very well."
Herve Poncharal, President of IRTA: “The Best Grand Prix of the Year is something that’s very important for Dorna and IRTA. As President of IRTA it means I represent all of the teams, and this is really a reflection of the whole paddock – from the mechanics and managers to the riders, in the case of IRTA – and it was almost a unanimous decision to vote Spielberg as the best GP of the year once again. What everyone said is that there’s everything we need and want, and if everywhere was like Spielberg it would be a dream!
“The scenery is beautiful, the circuit is exciting and creates great racing, the facilities are great and the people show incredible goodwill. There is a big crowd that gets into and out of the circuit smoothly, the Media Centre is great. We’re very happy and like I said there was almost no resistance to the choice. Unfortunatley we can’t nominate Austria every year but I hope other venues will come and see it and use the experience to improve. Everything is very well organised – it’s like a well-oiled machine. I’m very proud and happy to give this trophy to the Red Bull Ring.“
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “I am delighted to see Austria once again voted the Best Grand Prix. The Red Bull Ring is a stunning facility in a fantastic location, with world class facilities and staff who always go the extra mile to ensure the event runs perfectly. Spielberg is a favourite for everyone who visits the track every season and they truly deserve to be recognised with this award.
“It makes me proud that MotoGP has returned to the Red Bull Ring and created some of the most spectacular races of the past few years at the venue, most definitely including this season’s incredible show. I think we are all already looking forward to returning again next year.”