Explore what’s in store at the 2024 Austrian F1 Grand Prix, where a closely contested Sprint awaits.
Following China and Miami, F1 will experience its third Sprint of the season in Austria this weekend. On one of the shortest circuits of the season, the gaps will inevitably be very tight, and surprises in the hierarchy are to be expected.
Indeed, any mistake or poor adjustment will cost teams and drivers a few tenths that could make the difference between being eliminated in Q1 and advancing to Q3, and between racing at the back of the grid and finishing in the top 10.
With the hierarchy hanging on fine details, teams will undoubtedly be pleased to rely on the suspension of Parc Fermé status between the Sprint and the qualifiers for the race.
The Track
It is not the shortest circuit of the season, nor the fastest, but it is completed in the shortest time. Last year, Valtteri Bottas clinched pole position in 1’03″130, averaging nearly 247 km/h, making it one of the fastest circuits.
It is just over 4 kilometers long and includes only 8 turns, which is also a record for the season. After the start straight, a fourth gear turn leads onto a curved straight that is largely full throttle, before a hairpin that leads onto another straight.
These three straights will again have a DRS zone this season, and each zone will also have its own detection point. After a new second gear turn, there is a double left-hander, and a long left-right that brings drivers back towards the last two curves, which are unique in having reverse camber.
If the first of the two curves is slightly curved outward, the second curves inward, allowing a very fast entry into the pit straight.
The Contenders
Max Verstappen and Red Bull are always comfortable in Austria, and the Dutchman will inevitably be among the favourites this weekend. However, both he and Sergio Pérez should be cautious, as Red Bull has recently had problems setting up its car at the start of the weekend, which can be costly during the Sprint.
McLaren F1 will once again be contending for top positions, on a circuit where the team introduced its first major upgrade in 2023, enabling Lando Norris to achieve his first top 5 of the season. With the progress of the MCL38, Austria could suit him well.
Behind them, Mercedes and Ferrari will certainly be lurking, while the group of other teams, where Alpine has made significant progress and Aston Martin and RB F1 are struggling, will certainly be very tight.
Austrian F1 Grand Prix Schedule
As last year, Austria will host a format with a Sprint. On Friday, a free practice session will precede the Sprint Shootout, while Saturday will feature the Sprint and the qualifiers for Sunday’s race.
- Friday, June 28
12:30-13:30: Free Practice
16:30-17:14: Sprint Qualifying
- Saturday, June 29
12:00-13:00: Sprint
16:00-17:00: Qualifications
- Sunday, June 30
15:00-17:00: Race
Austrian and Styrian Grand Prix Winners
| Year | Track | Winner | Team-Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Zeltweg | Jack Brabham | Brabham-Climax |
| 1964 | Zeltweg | Lorenzo Bandini | Ferrari |
| 1970 | Österreichring | Jacky Ickx | Ferrari |
| 1971 | Österreichring | Joseph Siffert | BRM |
| 1972 | Österreichring | Emerson Fittipaldi | Lotus-Ford |
| 1973 | Österreichring | Ronnie Peterson | Lotus-Ford |
| 1974 | Österreichring | Carlos Reutemann | Brabham-Ford |
| 1975 | Österreichring | Vittorio Brambilla | March-Ford |
| 1976 | Österreichring | John Watson | Penske-Ford |
| 1977 | Österreichring | Alan Jones | Shadow-Ford |
| 1978 | Österreichring | Ronnie Peterson | Lotus-Ford |
| 1979 | Österreichring | Alan Jones | Williams-Ford |
| 1980 | Österreichring | Jean-Pierre Jabouille | Renault |
| 1981 | Österreichring | Jacques Laffite | Ligier-Matra |
| 1982 | Österreichring | Elio De Angelis | Lotus-Ford |
| 1983 | Österreichring | Alain Prost | Renault |
| 1984 | Österreichring | Niki Lauda | McLaren-TAG |
| 1985 | Österreichring | Alain Prost | McLaren-TAG |
| 1986 | Österreichring | Alain Prost | McLaren-TAG |
| 1987 | Österreichring | Nigel Mansell | Williams-Honda |
| 1997 | A1-Ring | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams-Renault |
| 1998 | A1-Ring | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 1999 | A1-Ring | Eddie Irvine | Ferrari |
| 2000 | A1-Ring | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2001 | A1-Ring | David Coulthard | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2002 | A1-Ring | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2003 | A1-Ring | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2014 | Red Bull Ring | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
| 2015 | Red Bull Ring | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
| 2016 | Red Bull Ring | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Red Bull Ring | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Red Bull Ring | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2019 | Red Bull Ring | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda |
| 2020 | Red Bull Ring | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes |
| 2020 | Red Bull Ring (Styrie) | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2021 | Red Bull Ring (Styrie) | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda |
| 2021 | Red Bull Ring | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda |
| 2022 | Red Bull Ring | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2023 | Red Bull Ring | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda |
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2024 Austrian F1 Grand Prix: Tight Race Expected 2024 Austrian F1 Grand Prix: Tight Race Expected
