The vehicle exhibition at the F1 Fan Zone is one of the biggest draws for the fans this weekend. Until Sunday, they have the opportunity to see the iconic F1 cars of the Ferrari 312B3, Lotus 79, Braham BMW BT52, Benetton B192, BMW Williams FW25 and RB8 up close. Under the motto of ‘Five decades of Formula 1’, the Legends Parade is making its comeback to the Red Bull Ring after a three-year break.
The fans will also be able to see the cars out on the track on Sunday (12:35 – 12:55). The line-up of drivers speaks for itself – two former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard, as well as Mathias Lauda, the son of three-time world champion Niki Lauda. It should be a particularly emotional moment for him as he drives his father’s former car.
The rest of the driving line-up is equally impressive: Riccardo Patrese drives the Brabham BMW BT52 (1983), Martin Brundle sits in the Benetton B192 and Zac Brown is behind the wheel of the Lotus 79.
Five decades of Formula 1:
Ferrari 312B3
- Weight: 582 kilograms
- Engine: Ferrari-V12
- Maximum speed: 300 km/h
The car was first used in 1973 at the Spanish Grand Prix, after the predecessor model of the Ferrari 312B2 turned out to be a flop. The decision to introduce the car proved to be inspired, as Niki Lauda won in the Ferrari 312B2 ahead of his team-mate in its fourth race. It was the 50th victory in Ferrari’s history.
Lotus 79
- Weight: 573 kilograms
- Engine: Cosworth DFV
- Maximum speed: 290 km/h
In the 1978 season, there was no getting past the Lotus 79. Mario Andretti topped the podium six times and won the Drivers’ World Championship for the first and only time with a lead of 13 points. Lotus also won the constructors’ title. Andretti’s title remains the last won by an American in the elite racing series.
Brabham BMW BT52
- Weight: 540 kilograms
- Engine: BMW M12/13
- Maximum speed: 370 km/h
The Brabham BT52 was used in the 1983 season. Nelson Piquet and Riccardo Patrese won four races with the car developed by Gordon Murray and were together on pole position twice.
Benetton B192
- Weight: 505 kilograms
- Engine: Benetton Ford B192/8
- Maximum speed: 320 km/h
The yellow and green monoposto of the Benetton B192 exudes pure Formula 1 history. The car is known for its spectacular livery design and was decisive in Michael Schumacher’s first title win in 1994.
BMW Williams FW25
- Weight: 600 kilograms
- Engine: BMW P83
- Maximum speed: 360+ km/h
In 2003, BMW-Williams had only one goal – to win the World Championship. To achieve that, the team designed a completely new car with a wheelbase nine centimetres shorter. BMW-Williams had to settle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship in the end.
RB8
- Weight: 640 kilograms
- Engine: Renault RS27
- Maximum speed: 370+ km/h
Sebastian Vettel won five races with the RB8, which he called Abby, and raced to his third world title in a row. Red Bull Racing was also able to retain the constructors’ title with the RB8.
