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For the second year in a row, Austria will hold two Formula 1 races in the same season. The Red Bull Ring is once again the home of Styrian Grand Prix for 2021.
The Red Bull Ring opened the delayed 2020 season in July with two rounds: Austria followed by Styria. But with calendar changes aplenty in 2021, the Styrian race will be the first of the two races.
But, the major difference between 2020 and 2021 is that fans will be back in the grandstands in a big way.
Fans from across Europe have picked up tickets for the Red Bull Ring’s return across both races – and we couldn’t be happier. After some crazy sessions and producing some of the best racing of the season, it’s only right fans are back to witness the action live.
To make sure you’re on top of all the action, including circuit maps, session times, support series, weather forecast and the latest news from the weekend, check out this guide with all the information you’ll need.
Styrian Grand Prix race preview
Important information for fans attending the race
COVID-19 precautions
Before entering the circuit, you will need to prove you have tested negative with in 72 hours, recovered from infection in the last six months, or have been vaccinated. Testing sites will be available on site for a cost of: Antigen: € 33 / PCR: € 89. Pre-register for your test here.
For more information about entry requirements, visit the Projekt Spielberg website.
Face masks
FFP2 masks are mandatory for entry to the site for anyone aged 14 and above. However, you will not have to wear your face mask in your grandstand seats.
Parking at the Red Bull Ring
There is no parking at the track, but there is free parking within walking distance of the Red Bull Ring. You’ll find these car parks at exit 24 of the S36. These car parks are approximately a 10-15 minute walk to the circuit.
Please note: if you are driving to the race, it’s Austrian law that you must have a warning triangle, safety vest and first aid kit in your vehicle.
Seating plan and circuit map
Click here to open the circuit map where you’ll find all grandstands.
Pit lane walk
Three-day ticket holders will be invited to take part in the Pit Lane Tour on Thursday. The tour runs from 16:00 – 18:00. The Paddock Club track tour and pit lane walks will take place on Friday (10:15), Saturday (14:00) and Sunday (10:50). Arrive at the meeting points in good time to ensure you can access the walks and tours.
Cashless payment
The Red Bull Ring is ‘cashless’, so you can only pay with a card, so bear this in mind when preparing for the weekend. Projekt Spielberg operates a cashless card system, where you can obtain a card you can top up with cash at stations throughout the weekend. There is a 3€ deposit, which is returned when you return the card.
General information
The Austrian emergency phone number is 112.
Styrian Grand Prix F1 session times
Austria is on Central European Summer Time, which is one hour ahead of British Summer Time. The race on Sunday kicks off at 3pm CEST.
| Session | Day | Session time (CEST) | Session time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free practice 1 | Friday | 11:30 – 12:30 | 10:30 – 11:30 |
| Free practice 2 | Friday | 15:00 – 16:00 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| Free practice 3 | Saturday | 12:00 – 13:00 | 11:00 – 12:00 |
| Qualifying | Saturday | 15:00 – 16:00 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| Race (71 laps) | Sunday | 15:00 – 17:00 | 14:00 – 16:00 |
Styria Grand Prix session times
Styrian Grand Prix weather report
According to AccuWeather, it could be an unusually warm weekend in Spielberg. Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20°s all week. This humid weather brings a chance of rain and thunderstorms during race weekend, so drivers and fans should be prepared for the weather.
| Day | AM | PM |
| Friday | Cloudy, 25°C | Cloudy, 27°C |
| Saturday | Cloudy with chance of thunderstorm, 24°C | Cloudy with chance of t-storm, 26°C |
| Sunday | Cloudy with chance of t-storm, 24°C | Cloudy with chance of t-storm, 26°C |
Race support at the Styrian Grand Prix
This weekend, the W Series was due to get underway in France. But due to scheduling changes, the series will now begin at the Red Bull Ring ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix. There will be one race on Saturday, before further race support from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on Sunday.
Image copyright: Motorsport Images
Copyright: Motorsport Images
W Series
The second season of W Series will get underway across the two weekends at the Red Bull Ring. Reigning champion and current Extreme E driver will be in action, which races cars similar to those used in the FIA F3 Championship. WEC driver Beitske Visser and Aston Martin Racing ambassador will be among those hoping to steal Chadwick’s crown. Check out our article on W Series to find out more about the championship.
| Session | Day | Session time (CEST) | Session time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice | Friday | 13:10 – 13:40 | 12:10 – 12:40 |
| Qualifying | Friday | 16:30 – 17:00 | 15:30 – 16:00 |
| Race (30 minutes + 1 lap) | Saturday | 16:30 – 17:05 | 15:30 – 16:05 |
Copyright: Motorsport Images
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
After getting underway in Monaco, the Porshce Supercup returns to Spielberg for both races in Austria. There’ll be another Dutchman for the Orange Army to cheer on, after Larry ten Voorde took victory at the principality in May. There will be three sessions throughout the weekend, with the race on Sunday afternoon.
| Session | Day | Session time (CEST) | Session time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice | Friday | 17:25 – 18:10 | 16:25 – 17:10 |
| Qualifying | Saturday | 13:25 – 13:55 | 12:25 – 12:55 |
| Race | Sunday | 12:25 – 13:00 | 11:25 – 12:00 |
The Styrian Grand Prix Circuit
Red Bull Ring
When the Österreichring opened in 1969, it was a sight to behold. A brand new circuit in the heart of the Styrian mountains. And while it was a comparatively short lap against other tracks, its longer straights presented an opportunity to showcase the power of high-performance machinery.
With a lap record of 1:05.619 (Carlos Sainz, 2020), it’s the shortest lap-time on the calendar. Yet at 4.318km, it’s 1km longer than the Circuit de Monaco, which has a lap record of 1:12.909.
This goes to demonstrate that Austira is all about speed. From teh start straight the cars are faced with a near-90 degree turn before speeding up an uphill straight through a kink at turn two and an acute right-hander. This leads the cars onto the back straight and the third DRS zone in as many corners.
As the cars pass back down through sectors two and three, they must battle the car at high-speeds with no heavy braking zones until the start of the next lap. It’s a high-power lap with plenty of overtaking opportunities, and thanks to its elevation and stunning vantage points, a real fan favourite.
Check out the Italian F4 Championship race from 2019 for a taste of things to come. A race that’s a prime example that while it may be a short lap, there’s a lot of action in store.
What happened at the last Styrian Grand Prix?
Styrian Grand Prix 2020
The last Styrian Grand Prix was actually the first ever ‘Styrian’ race in F1. And while the first round of the double-header is named after the local region in ’21, last year’s race proceeded its ‘Austrian’ main event.
It was a wet start to the weekend, as the rain came down on Saturday ahead of qualifying. The field were forced to strap on the wet tyres during a difficult session. Especially for Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez, who struggled to get their car out of Q1. The rain didn’t stop throughout the session, and Charles Leclerc – who had enjoyed a podium the weekend before – was knocked out in the following session.
In Q3, Max Verstappen pushed hard to knock Lewis Hamilton off provisional pole. But he pushed too hard and dropped it in the final sector, allowing Lewis Hamilton to take pole position by 1.216s – the largest margin by which he’s ever been on pole.
The race that followed wasn’t as dramatic as the Austrian Grand Prix the week before, but it did see the two Ferraris collide at turn three. Leclerc made a dive Vettel, ripping his rear wing off in the process. While Verstappen and Bottas quarrelled over second place, Hamilton set off at a canter to a substantial victory. The highlight of th race was undoubtebly Lando Norris’ final lap. From 8th, he overtook Stroll and Ricciardo on the back straight, before taking a position from a damaged Sergio Perez at the final corner.
Copyright: Motorsport Images
Copyright: Motorsport Images
How to stay up to date at the Styrian Grand Prix
You can keep up-to-date across all the breaking news by following Motorsport.com throughout the race weekend.
Or get a round-up of the latest headlines from Austria and beyond with Motorsport.tv LIVE‘s latest bulletins. Head to their channel on Motorsport.tv for the latest news, interviews and reaction from the paddock. Check out their latest report on the Formula 1-Pirelli fallout following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
And after both qualifying and the race, Autosport‘s top brass will join host Ariana Bravo to review all the top talking points. Check out the latest episode of the Autosport Podcast below, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.