MotoGP 2025 Austrian Grand Prix: Preview

Written by Finn Glover, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri

MotoGP returns after the summer break for the Austrian Grand Prix | Credit: MotoGP

After a month-long summer break of no MotoGP action, the series returns for a Spielberg blockbuster, as 22 bikes clamber into the Styrian Mountains, ready and refreshed for the Austrian Grand Prix. 

The question on everyone’s mind remains: Can Marc Márquez continue his pre-summer imperious and impenetrable form, or perhaps, can someone spring a surprise and challenge the reign of MotoGP’s most dominant dictator?

The Austrian Grand Prix: Red Bull Ring

The track is located in a stunning mountain valley | Credit: Red Bull Ring

A simplistic yet fabulous racetrack located in the heart of the Austrian hills, the iconic Red Bull Ring, the home and base of both KTM teams, always serves up a MotoGP treat. 

Ten corners, yet only eight ‘real’ ones, form a track largely dominated by straights and heavy braking zones, forming the perfect blend if you're looking for action! The 2022 race also marked the addition of the 2a-b chicane; added to punctuate the supremely fast 70-metre climb up to turn three; the sight of MotoGP’s ‘worst ever accident’ involving Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli in 2020.

The track is characterised by the famous bull on the outside of T8 | Credit: MotoGP

The track is extremely undulating; and its well-used nature usually means it is extremely grippy also. But that steep and short dash to turn one on the opening lap has often proven nasty for many; with the apex of the corner extremely harsh and accidents seemingly a commodity here. 

Another major factor facing riders at the Red Bull Ring is the skies laying above; with races and sessions often interrupted by the smattering of rain; particularly with the track being susceptible due to its high altitude. 

Past results

It’s been Pecco’s Palace for the last three years in Austria | Credit: MotoGP

In recent years, this track has started to gather the nickname of the ‘Pecco Bagnaia stomping ground’, with the Italian claiming every pole, every victory (sprint or race) and absolutely obliterating any competition for the past three years here. Yet, in a season of utter woes for the Italian, will his fabulous form here finally meet its demise? 

Shockingly, a rider who has never won here is the indomitable Marc Márquez. He has come close on one or two instances, particularly in his memorable last-lap showdown with Andrea Dovizioso in 2019. Will this year, expectedly, be his first venture to victory lane in Austria?

The track’s ‘made for racing’ layout has also produced some incredible battles and showdowns, resulting in some surprise winners and results. In 2020, then Tech3 KTM rider Miguel Oliveira overtook two riders at the final corner and claimed a remarkable victory for the French squad. 

Binder’s remarkable 2021 race win | Credit: Red Bull

And just a year later, the Austrian weather played havoc, and Brad Binder opted to stay out in the wet on slick tires, narrowly avoiding disaster, and claimed one of MotoGP’s most dramatic ever victories as the wet-tire riders closed down rapidly. 

Just because the last few years have been slightly sedated due to Bagnaia's brilliance doesn’t mean the track will not produce some stupendous action this weekend! If you want some evidence, go and watch Bagnaia and Jorge Martín’s tussle at the start of last year’s race. Unbelievable!

Key notices

Chantra is out of action until at least the Catalan Grand Prix | Credit: MotoGP

Thai Rider and last place in the championship of the full-time riders, Somkiat Chantra, has announced he will miss the next two rounds as he recovers from surgery following a traumatic training crash. He will be replaced by Aleix Espargaró, who rides a third different Honda bike this year.

After the momentous injury list that was racked up following a demolition derby at the German Grand Prix, all other riders seem set to return, with Franco Morbidelli and Maverick Vinales seemingly set to return to racing action this weekend. 

Jorge Martín will be looking to maintain his brilliant return to racing at Brno, in which he claimed a very respectable seventh during the Czech Grand Prix weekend.

Yet, as it tends to do in the summer break, the rider market seemed to dominate talks, and although no more moves have been confirmed, there are circulating rumours, particularly surrounding the LCR and Yamaha camps. 

Will ‘Thriller Miller’ get his Yamaha promotion? | Credit: MotoGP

Diogo Moreira is seemingly set to oust Somkiat Chantra out of a MotoGP seat, after what has been a disappointing start to MotoGP life for the first-ever Thai rider in MotoGP.

And it is seemingly a merry-go-round at Yamaha, with PRAMAC’s Jack Miller seemingly set to bump Alex Rins out of a MotoGP seat, meaning that PRAMAC can maintain Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira for another season, and not have to pick between their two riders for who will partner the incoming Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

Chaos? Chaos. 

Who will sit on the podium this year? | Credit: Al Jazeera 

So, what will happen this weekend as we venture into the next chapter of a MotoGP season dominated by one man? Marc Márquez’s lead stands at a nose-bleeding high of 120 points; and he will look to continue his form this weekend. 

Or will someone else challenge it? Can the weather maybe play some havoc? It certainly looks that way…

Tune in to find out just what happens at 1 pm BST! See you there!