I bin a Murtaler - Der Bulle am Red Bull Ring
- 4 minutes of reading time
- Motorsports
Murtal Region: "Thank you for taking the time for us so shortly before Formula 1.“
Bull: "No problem, in the Murtal we help each other, that's the Styrian blood. I'm glad you came to see me!"
The gigantic steel bull was realised in 2012 by the artists Clemens Neugebauer and Martin Kölldorfer. It consists of approximately 1,700 Corten steel plates and weighs around 68 tonnes. Including the foundation and arch, the sculpture weighs in at an impressive 1300 tonnes and rises 17,2 metres into the air. The two horns with a span of 7 metres shine brilliantly. They are covered with real gold leaf and shine brightly with the sun during our visit.
But the steel bull is not the only "animal" from Murtal at the Red Bull Ring. While he is stately in the middle of the racetrack enjoying the engine howling and the adrenaline spectacle, his little brother prefers it more comfortable and hangs out indoors in the Welcome Centre. Of course, he doesn't get to see as much of the racing action here, but maybe that's better. He is a little more fragile than his steel role model because he consists of 1,340 handmade crystal glass balls. In amber-coloured optics, he impresses visitors to the vehicle exhibition here and watches children racing among themselves on the Carrera Red Bull Ring. Unfortunately, he was too shy for an interview.
His big brother, however, was very happy to have a chat with us about the Murtal:
Murtal Region: "What connects you to the Murtal?"
Bull: "In the Murtal we have petrol in our blood. The racing, the powerful engines, the adrenaline, the love of speed are close to my heart, I think I'm certainly not alone in the Murtal with that."
Murtal Region: "When do you feel the heartbeat in the Murtal?"
Bull: "Sure, motors and adrenalin give me that certain kick. But one moment when I felt the heartbeat in my whole body was at "Drum the Bull". When Martin Grubinger and his fellow musicians stood on and around me in 2020 and performed this insane piece of music, I felt it from the tip of my horn to my hooves and lived it. When I think about it, I still get goosebumps now."
Murtal Region: "Where is your favourite place in the Murtal?"
Bull: "It might come as a surprise and I'm blurting out a secret now, but I find it very beautiful at the tower in the mountains at Tremmelberg. There I not only see my Red Bull Ring, but also the beautiful region around it. I like to sneak there when there aren't so many people at the Ring or at night and look at the Mur valley in the moonlight. By sunrise, I'm already back at my spot and no one has noticed anything. Nature here is really something special. Even I can slow down and relax.
Red Bull Ring
Red Bull Ring Straße 1
8724 Spielberg