The Red Bull Ring has been a mainstay on the MotoGP calendar since it returned to the schedule in 2016, hosting events every year since – including double-headers in 2020 and 2021 during COVID times – and has become a firm fan favourite.
It’s one of the better-attended events on the calendar, with a weekend total of 173,013 – including 93,519 on Sunday – turning up for the 2023 Austrian GP.
While the racing in the premier class proved to be lacklustre, the weekend itself featured numerous initiatives to boost the experience for fans – including live music and the traditional Red Bull air display.
This is in keeping with Dorna Sports’ new push to make weekends much more fan-friendly in 2023, with the Sunday rider parade, rider fan park and signing sessions all a part of this.
World champion Francesco Bagnaia, who did the double at the Red Bull Ring last weekend, says the model the Spielberg race organisers incorporate has to be implemented by other circuits.
“I think that you feel when we have more people seeing us, and it’s something incredible when you finish the race, you’ve done a good job and you look at the grandstand and there are so many people there, happy and cheering for all of us,” the Ducati rider said.
“It makes a difference. We can make the best show possible, but I think also the circuits have to improve on that because for the people [in Austria] it was a party.
Source: Autosport