Written by Finn Glover, Edited by Tarun Suresh
From the vast and flat land of Silverstone, MotoGP gears up the altitude as it embarks on the latest round of what is a tight and twisting world championship. Nestled in the Styrian mountains, Austria’s Red Bull Ring plays host to round 11 of the championship.
Last year
Last year, Pecco Bagnaia claimed the absolute perfect weekend. Pole, Fastest Lap and a win in both the sprint and the main race, he was unchallenged and unhindered in what was a pivotal weekend for his championship charge.
In a weekend of soaring temperatures, many riders struggled, providing a dishevelled grid in qualifying. KTM Factory, at their home race, had a standout showing, qualifying P3 and P4 respectively, and Brad Binder claimed a pair of P2s in the races. KTM customer team GASGAS’ rider Pol Espargaro also claimed an incredible P6 in the sprint, a superb performance upon his return from a dastardly injury.
The main talking point of the race was the brilliant battle between Alex Marquez of Gresini and the two VR46 boys for the final spot on the rostrum. Ultimately, it was Marco Bezzecchi coming out on top.
The Austrian Grand Prix was the last race of pure Bagnaia dominance in 2023. Since then, Jorge Martin has closed the gap and gathered momentum in a rivalry that has encaptured fans and spilt over into 2024.
Round 10: Great Britain
It was a barnstorming performance by Enea Bastiannini in Britain, with the Italian claiming a sprint and race win in what was the perfect weekend. On both occasions, he overcame title protagonist Jorge Martin, and in the race in particular, battled his way to the front superbly.
Aleix Espargaro claimed a shock pole position on Saturday, yet sadly the Ducati pace proved too much for both Aprilia and Aleix, leading him to finish a hard-fought P3 and P6 in the sprint and race.
And it was also a bad weekend for the other championship protagonist, Pecco Bagnaia. After an awkward crash at Turn Four in the sprint, he slumped to a disappointing P3 finish in the main race, being passed at ease by departing teammates Bastiannini and Martin.
With Bastiannini being ousted from the Ducati camp in 2025, he proved his doubters wrong in what was his best weekend to date in MotoGP. He has clawed away at the gap, and the hope is that with him being renowned for late-season superbness, he can invite himself into the championship fight ahead of the closing rounds.
After Britain, the championship top five are as follows:
1- Jorge Martin (Pramac) 241 Points
2- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) 238 Points
3- Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) 192 Points
4- Marc Marquez (Gresini) 179 Points
5- Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) 130 Points
The Track
A fast, flowing, and reasonably short circuit, the Austrian Grand Prix is a track made for racing and has provided some absolutely spectacular scenes in the past.
10 corners and 2.702 miles long, it will be contested over a duration of 28 laps. The track recently underwent renovation for motorbike purposes, with a chicane punctuating the long straight down to Turn 3 for safety purposes, particularly after the huge crash in 2020. Still remain two long straights into heavy braking zones followed by a flowing yet technical final sector.
Renowned for last-lap battles, many of MotoGP’s most famed finishes have come at the Red Bull Ring. 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017 and more, it is a track that seemingly keeps delivering carnage-ridden races. Although, it has to be said the races have been slightly subdued in recent years.
Recent statistics show that Pecco Bagnaia is the man to watch this weekend after his grand slam last year and another unfazed victory in 2022. Yet, prior to that, the races were absolutely anyone's, and at KTM’s home race, maybe they too can haul themselves into contention.
So, who will be crowned king of the ring? Will Bagnaia continue his amazing Austrian form? Or will Bastianini carry on from his superlative Silverstone? Or maybe someone else. Perhaps KTM could produce a fairytale win in their own backyard like they did in 2021?
With the championship’s top 2 being separated by just 3 points, it could swing either way. Not to mention that, as we start the 2nd half of the season, every mistake now may be a crucial one.
Yet one thing that should be of guarantee is close and frenetic racing unless the weather has something to say. But you won’t want to miss it. The Austrian Grand Prix kicks off at 2 pm local (1 pm BST).
Comments