MotoGP Is Heading To Austria
The MotoGP paddock is headed straight to the Red Bull Ring in Austria after the San Marino Grand Prix last weekend. The Austrian Grand Prix will be the 15th round of this 2026 season. With the championship taking a dramatic turn last weekend, we will see who is on top after this weekend.
The Red Bull Ring
This weekend we are racing at the short but fast Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. The track is 4.348 KM long and only has 10-corners, meaning the lap is mostly long straights for overtaking, fast sections and some pretty heavy braking zones.
The first two corners are the most important, because the riders arrive there after a long straight and then they have to break hard into the corners. Turn 3 is another overtaking opportunity, with the riders going up to the corner at high speed before slowing down.
The final sector of the track is much faster than the first part. Turns 6,7 and 9 require more precision and commitment, while the run to Turn 10 leads them onto the main straight. This makes a strong exit from the last corner very important for overtaking and lap time before Turn 1.
The circuit has also given us some good and memorable MotoGP races, like Brad Binder’s famous 2021 victory after making the choice to stay on slick during a wet finish.
Ogura Set to make a return
One of the biggest surprises this weekend is the return of Ai Ogura. He missed the last two races after suffering a fracture near his left thumb, but he will travel with the team to Austria and he will be reviewed after Free Practice 1 to see if he can race during the race on Sunday.
Ogura is currently sixth in the championship just 71 points behind Márquez. If he is cleared to race, this will be his first weekend back since Silverstone.
Session Times (CEST)
Friday, September 18
MotoGP Practice: 10:45–11:30
Saturday, September 19
MotoGP Free Practice 2: 10:10–10:40
Qualifying 1: 10:50–11:00
Qualifying 2: 11:15–11:25
Sprint Race: 15:00
Sunday, September 20
MotoGP Warm-up: 09:40–09:50
Austrian Grand Prix: 14:00
The Austrian Grand Prix will be taking place from September 18 to 20, with the main race on Sunday taking place at 14:00.
Article Written by Zoë Wokke
