Route to Salzburgring, Austria

The first half of the WTCC season will be over this week in Austria, when rounds 11 and 12 take place at the Salzburgring on May 20.

This super fast and old-fashioned circuit that is located 15 km East of the beautiful city of Salzburg, offers a breathtaking set up, lying at the bottom of an Alpine valley and surrounded by high mountains.

Although the Salzburgring has hosted the FIA European Touring Car Cup three times in recent years – 2008, 2010 and 2011 – it receives the FIA World Touring Car Championship for the first time. And this also marks the first visit of an automobile world championship to this venue that was home to the Austrian Motorcycling Grand Prix until 1995.

Only a bunch of WTCC drivers have had previous experiences on this racetrack. Franz Engstler more than everybody else, having raced there many times in the German Supertourenwagen and Production cars championships.

Both Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini had a one off experience at the Salzburgring in the Super Touring years: in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Since then the track was significantly upgraded in terms of safety and facilities, but the layout has remained the same.

Surprisingly, the only WTCC driver who has won a race there is Pepe Oriola, who claimed victory in the 2011 FIA ETCC.