Jacky Ickx won the inaugural race at the Österreichring, and it proved to be championship leader Jochen Rindt's final Formula One race start.
Key Facts
- Race laps
- 60 laps
- Winner
- Jacky Ickx (Ferrari)
- Starting position of winner
- 3rd on grid
- Race number in championship
- 9 of 13
- First circuit use
- Inaugural race at Österreichring
- Pole sitter
- Jochen Rindt (Lotus-Ford)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Zeltweg Airfield circuit was widely criticised for its rough surface and uninspiring layout, prompting Austrian organisers to construct the purpose-built Österreichring on a neighbouring hillside. The new venue hosted the Austrian Grand Prix for the first time in 1970, the second occasion the race was part of the Formula One World Championship.
On 16 August 1970, Jacky Ickx drove a Ferrari to victory over 60 laps at the Österreichring, starting from third on the grid. His Ferrari teammate Clay Regazzoni claimed second place for his maiden podium, while Rolf Stommelen finished third in a Brabham-Ford for the only podium of his career. Championship leader Jochen Rindt, who had taken pole, retired early with engine failure.
Ickx's victory tightened the drivers' championship battle, while Rindt's retirement proved uniquely significant: it was the last Formula One race start of his life. Rindt died in a qualifying accident at Monza weeks later but accumulated enough points to be crowned the sport's only posthumous World Champion.
Result
at Österreichring, Austria