The Austrian Grand Prix takes place from 26 to 28 June 2026 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, nestled in the Styrian Alps. One of the shortest but most action-packed circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, the Red Bull Ring consistently delivers dramatic racing through its combination of heavy braking zones, significant elevation changes, and a compact layout that encourages close wheel-to-wheel battles. As the tenth round of the 2026 season, it arrives at a crucial midpoint in a championship defined by sweeping regulation changes.
What is the Austrian Grand Prix?
The Austrian Grand Prix is a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, held annually at the Red Bull Ring since the circuit’s return to the calendar in 2014. The venue, originally built as the Osterreichring in 1970, was comprehensively redeveloped under the ownership of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz before reopening to Formula 1.
The circuit measures 4.326 km and features 10 corners across 71 laps, covering a total race distance of 306.58 km. With 65 metres of elevation change and a maximum incline of 12%, the Red Bull Ring places unique demands on car and driver. The current lap record stands at 1:04.314, set by Max Verstappen during qualifying at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.
When is the Austrian Grand Prix?
The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix weekend takes place on the following schedule (all times CEST/UTC+2):
Friday 26 June: Practice 1 (12:30), Practice 2 (16:00)
Saturday 27 June: Practice 3 (11:30), Qualifying (15:00)
Sunday 28 June: Race (14:00)
The race starts at 14:00 local time on Sunday 28 June, which corresponds to 13:00 BST, 08:00 ET, and 22:00 AEST.
Where is the Austrian Grand Prix?
The Red Bull Ring is situated in Spielberg, a small town in the Austrian state of Styria, approximately 200 km south-west of Vienna and 50 km from Graz. The circuit occupies a natural amphitheatre in the foothills of the Alps, giving spectators exceptional viewing angles from the surrounding hillsides.
The circuit was first used for motorsport in 1970 as the Osterreichring, a sweeping 5.9 km course through the hills above Zeltweg. After hosting the Austrian Grand Prix until 1987 the track fell out of use, and a shorter A1 Ring replaced it from 1997 to 2003. Following Mateschitz’s acquisition and a complete rebuild, the modern Red Bull Ring opened in 2011 and returned to the F1 calendar three years later.
The circuit is accessible by road via the A9 motorway from Graz or Salzburg. Special race weekend rail services run from Klagenfurt, Graz, and Bruck an der Mur to a dedicated Zeltweg station, with shuttle buses connecting to the circuit. The venue has a capacity of approximately 60,000 across grandstand seating and hillside general admission zones.
Key Contenders
The 2026 season has been defined by sweeping new technical regulations covering power units, active aerodynamics, chassis design, and sustainable fuels. The changes have reshuffled the competitive order significantly.
Mercedes have emerged as the team to beat. Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Italian making his debut campaign in extraordinary fashion, leads the drivers’ championship on 72 points, with George Russell just nine points behind. The Silver Arrows’ early command under the new rules echoes their dominant stretch from 2014 to 2021.
Ferrari present the strongest challenge. Charles Leclerc (49 points) and Lewis Hamilton (41 points) form a formidable pairing. Hamilton, who won the Austrian Grand Prix in 2020, will be aiming to add to his record tally of victories at a circuit he knows well.
Max Verstappen has an almost familial connection to the Red Bull Ring. The four-time world champion won here in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and the partisan crowd that fills the hillside grandstands treats him as one of their own. Despite Red Bull Racing’s difficult adaptation to the 2026 regulations — Verstappen sits ninth in the championship — his ability to outperform his machinery at this venue makes him a genuine threat for victory.
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri round out the contenders. Piastri won at the Red Bull Ring in 2025, giving McLaren back-to-back Austrian Grand Prix victories, and the team will hope improved form arrives before the summer.
How to Watch the Austrian Grand Prix
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1 holds exclusive live rights to all sessions. Channel 4 provides extended highlights.
- United States: Apple TV is the exclusive home of Formula 1 from 2026, with F1 TV bundled for all subscribers.
- Austria: ServusTV (free-to-air) and ORF broadcast the race live.
- Germany: Sky Deutschland and RTL share coverage.
- Australia: Fox Sports and Kayo carry live sessions.
- Global: F1 TV Pro provides live multi-camera streaming in most other territories worldwide.
History and Records
The Austrian Grand Prix was first held in 1963 at the Zeltweg Airfield and joined the official World Championship in 1970 at the original Osterreichring. Niki Lauda won his home Grand Prix twice, in 1984 and 1985, and remains Austria’s greatest racing driver. In the modern era, Max Verstappen’s three consecutive victories from 2021 to 2023 made the Red Bull Ring a personal fortress. George Russell won the 2024 race in a race of high attrition, while Piastri’s 2025 victory confirmed McLaren’s transformation into a championship-winning team. The sprint format has been used at this venue in several recent years, though the 2026 edition returns to a standard three-day weekend.
Tickets
The Red Bull Ring attracts approximately 300,000 fans across the race weekend. General admission tickets provide access to hillside viewing areas and designated zones between Turns 3 and 4, while grandstand options offer premium views at Turn 1 and the start-finish straight. Weekend packages are available through the official Red Bull Ring website at redbullring.com and the F1 ticketing platform. Popular categories typically sell out well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Austrian Grand Prix race start?
The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix starts at 14:00 CEST (13:00 BST) on Sunday 28 June 2026.
Where is the Austrian Grand Prix held?
At the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria, Austria, approximately 200 km south-west of Vienna.
How can I watch the Austrian Grand Prix?
In the UK, Sky Sports F1 carries all sessions live. In the US, Apple TV is the exclusive broadcaster. In Austria, ServusTV provides free-to-air coverage. F1 TV Pro offers live streaming in most other territories.
Who won the Austrian Grand Prix last year?
Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix for McLaren, giving the team back-to-back wins at the Red Bull Ring.