About the Austrian Grand Prix

The Austrian Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s most scenic and historic European races, held at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria. The event first appeared as a World Championship round in 1964 before becoming closely associated with the Osterreichring from 1970, later returning in the modern Red Bull Ring era from 2014. Set in a natural bowl surrounded by the Styrian mountains, the race combines a traditional European Grand Prix atmosphere with one of the shortest and fastest laps on the calendar.

The Red Bull Ring may look simple on paper, but its mix of steep elevation changes, heavy braking zones and fast downhill corners makes it a much tougher challenge than its layout suggests. The first half of the lap rewards power and traction, with cars climbing uphill through a sequence of straights and braking zones, before the second half flows downhill through quicker corners. Its compact layout, track limits pressure and multiple overtaking opportunities regularly produce close racing and strategic drama.

Austrian Grand Prix Fast Facts

First held (in current format)	2014
Circuit	Red Bull Ring
Location	Spielberg, Styria, Austria
Number of laps	71
Circuit length	4.318 km
Race distance	306.452 km
Lap record (race)	1:06.957 – Kimi Raikkonen (2018)
Most wins (driver)	Max Verstappen – 4
Top speed	≈ 327 km/h (203 mph)

Austrian GP Past Winners

Year	Winner	Team
2025	Lando Norris	McLaren
2024	George Russell	Mercedes
2023	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2022	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari
2021	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2020	Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes
2019	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2018	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2017	Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes
2016	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2015	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes
2014	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes
2004-2013	Not held	—
2003	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2002	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2001	David Coulthard	McLaren
2000	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren
1999	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari
1998	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren
1997	Jacques Villeneuve	Williams
1988-1996	Not held	—
1987	Nigel Mansell	Williams
1986	Alain Prost	McLaren
1985	Alain Prost	McLaren
1984	Niki Lauda	McLaren
1983	Alain Prost	Renault
1982	Elio de Angelis	Lotus
1981	Jacques Laffite	Ligier
1980	Jean-Pierre Jabouille	Renault
1979	Alan Jones	Williams
1978	Ronnie Peterson	Lotus
1977	Alan Jones	Shadow
1976	John Watson	Penske
1975	Vittorio Brambilla	March
1974	Carlos Reutemann	Brabham
1973	Ronnie Peterson	Lotus
1972	Emerson Fittipaldi	Lotus
1971	Jo Siffert	BRM
1970	Jacky Ickx	Ferrari
1965-1969	Not held as an F1 World Championship race	—
1964	Lorenzo Bandini	Ferrari

Red Bull Ring

The Red Bull Ring is one of Formula 1’s most picturesque and compact venues, set in the Styrian mountains near Spielberg. The original Osterreichring opened in 1969 and hosted the Austrian Grand Prix from 1970, before the venue was shortened and modernised in the 1990s as the A1 Ring. After a long absence from the calendar, the circuit was rebuilt under Red Bull ownership and Formula 1 returned in 2014, restoring one of Europe’s most atmospheric racing destinations.

The circuit measures 4.318 km and features 10 corners, with dramatic elevation changes packed into one of the shortest laps in Formula 1. The first sector climbs steeply through heavy braking zones and long acceleration phases, rewarding strong traction and straight line speed, while the second half of the lap flows downhill through faster corners such as the Rindt right hander. Its short lap time creates traffic in qualifying and often compresses the field, while the combination of kerbs, track limits and overtaking zones makes Spielberg a regular source of drama.

• Track length: 4.318 km
• Laps: 71
• Corners: 10
• Lap record: 1:06.957 – Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari, 2018)
• Capacity: Approximately 105,000
• First F1 race: 1970

Austrian GP FAQs

When is the Austrian GP 2026?

The Austrian Grand Prix runs from 26 to 28 June 2026 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. See the schedule above for exact times in your local timezone and track time.

How many laps is the Austrian GP?

The Austrian GP is contested over 71 laps around the Red Bull Ring.

What is the length of the Austrian F1 track?

The circuit length at the Red Bull Ring is 4.318 km per lap.

Who holds the Austrian GP lap record?

The Austrian GP race lap record at the Red Bull Ring is 1:06.957, set by Kimi Raikkonen in 2018.

Which driver has most Austrian GP wins?

Max Verstappen holds the record with four Austrian Grand Prix victories.

What makes the Austrian GP special?

The Austrian GP is held at the Red Bull Ring in the Styrian mountains, with a short, fast lap, major elevation changes, heavy braking zones and regular overtaking opportunities.