It has been announced that the Austrian Grand Prix will return to the Formula One calendar in 2014 after an 11 year absence.

According to a very brief statement by Red Bull, the event will be held at the Red Bull Ring on July 6th.

The statement explained, “Dietrich Mateschitz (Red Bull owner) and Bernie Ecclestone have reached agreement to the effect that Formula 1 will come back to Styria next year”.

The last Austrian Grand Prix was held in 2003 after which it fell off the calendar when redevelopment plans stalled. New owner, Red Bull, spent time considering what to do with the venue but eventually pushed in a massive investment which eventually saw the circuit reopen in 2011 under a new name – the Red Bull Ring. It has since hosted rounds of the DTM championship, as well as the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.

We came very close to seeing and Austrian Grand Prix on this year’s calendar as a replacement for the New Jersey race but a deal could not be agreed on.

The FIA will still need to formally approve the return of the Austrian Grand Prix when it finalises the 2014 calendar at a meeting with its World Motor Sport Council.

Photos: Redbull.com