Red Bull could revive old Spielberg layout

Red Bull is looking into expanding the current layout of the Austrian grand prix venue in Spielberg.

The energy drink brand took the former A1-Ring and Osterreichring back to the F1 calendar in 2014.

But according to Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, owner Dietrich Mateschitz is now considering reviving an iconic old section of the track called the Westschleife (west loop).

"From a driver’s perspective, the old track would be interesting," said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"It would separate the men from the boys a lot more than it does nowadays, anyway," he added.

Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko insisted that the expansion is only "in the planning stage" at present.

But he added: "The merging of these two tracks would create one of the most attractive and fastest race tracks in the world."

Whether it happens or not, Ecclestone said he is happy F1 is back in Austria.

"Red Bull always does a great job. We love coming back there," he told Kleine Zeitung newspaper, ahead of this weekend’s Austrian grand prix.