Austrian Grand Prix 2026
The compact but thrilling Red Bull Ring nestled in the stunning Styrian mountains, delivering short laps, dramatic elevation changes, and consistently exciting racing.
Race Information
Red Bull Ring
Spielberg, Styria, Austria
71
4.318 km
1970
Carlos Sainz (1:05.619, 2020)
About Red Bull Ring
The Red Bull Ring is located in the Styrian Alps near the town of Spielberg, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery that makes it one of the most picturesque venues on the F1 calendar. Originally known as the Österreichring, the circuit hosted grands prix from 1970 before being shortened and renamed the A1-Ring in the late 1990s. After falling into disrepair, it was rebuilt and renamed by Red Bull, returning to the F1 calendar in 2014.
Despite having only 10 corners and being one of the shortest laps on the calendar at 4.318 kilometres, the Red Bull Ring consistently produces exciting racing. The significant elevation changes — the track climbs steeply from Turn 1 to Turn 3 before plunging back downhill — create unique challenges for car setup and driver technique. The three DRS zones and multiple heavy braking zones provide abundant overtaking opportunities, while the short lap time means the entire field is closely bunched throughout the race.
The high altitude of the circuit, sitting at around 700 metres above sea level, affects engine performance and cooling, adding another technical variable for teams to manage. Summer thunderstorms in the Alps can arrive with little warning, transforming dry conditions into a deluge in minutes. The Austrian Grand Prix regularly features as a Sprint weekend, adding further excitement to an already action-packed event. Max Verstappen's dominance at the circuit in recent years, supported by the passionate "Orange Army" of Dutch fans who make the short trip from the Netherlands, has become one of the defining images of modern F1.
How to Watch the Austrian Grand Prix
In the UK, the Austrian Grand Prix is broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. The one-hour time difference means the race starts in the early afternoon UK time.
Channel 4 shows extended highlights. Visit our TV schedule page for full session times.
International viewers can watch via F1 TV Pro, ServusTV/ORF (Austria), ESPN (USA), and other regional broadcasters.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2024 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2022 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2021 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |