2024 Austrian Grand Prix: Fast Facts

The F1 paddock heads to the Styrian mountains this weekend for the third Sprint event of the season at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg. This circuit is renowned for its fast straights, dramatic elevation changes, and scenic backdrop, offering a unique challenge for the drivers and a visual treat for the fans.

With its 4.318 km layout featuring 10 corners, the Red Bull Ring is one of the shorter tracks on the calendar but packs a punch with high-speed sections and heavy braking zones that test both driver skill and car performance. As we gear up for an action-packed weekend, here are the key storylines and facts you need to know ahead of the Austrian GP.

2024 Austrian Grand Prix Scheduling

The Red Bull Ring is set to host another thrilling Austrian Grand Prix. Here’s what the schedule looks like for this weekend’s event:

Friday, 28 June

• Practice 1: 12:30 – 13:30
• Sprint Qualifying: 16:30 – 17:14

Saturday, 29 June

• Sprint: 12:00 – 13:00
• Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00

Sunday, 30 June

• Race: 15:00

2024 Austrian Grand Prix Betting

As we approach the Austrian Grand Prix, the betting landscape is already heating up. Here are the current odds for the top drivers:

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull): Opening odds at -200. The home crowd favourite and reigning champion is the bookies’ top pick to take the win.
• Lando Norris (McLaren): Coming in strong with +285. Norris is a rising star and one to watch this weekend.
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): With odds of +1,800, Leclerc offers a tantalising prospect for those looking for a high payout.
• Sergio Perez (Red Bull), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), George Russell (Mercedes): All tied with odds of +2,200. Each driver has the potential to make a surprise run for the podium.
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): Both at +2,500. These drivers are known for their competitive edge and could turn the tables.
• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): A long shot at +15,000, but never to be underestimated.
• Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Esteban Ocon (Alpine): Both stand at +25,000, representing Alpine’s hopes for a breakthrough performance.
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Daniel Ricciardo (RB): Each at +30,000. Dark horses who could spring a surprise.
• Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Alexander Albon (Williams): All at +40,000. Outsiders with the potential to disrupt the status quo.
• Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber), Guanyu Zhou (Kick Sauber), Logan Sargeant (Williams): Each at +50,000. Significant underdogs who would deliver massive returns if victorious.

Keep an eye on these odds as they will be updated after qualifying. Click here for the latest odds.

How to Watch the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the Austrian Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Austrian Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Are Mercedes Back?

After a podium in Spain for Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes are a team on the improve, and nothing would make their boss Toto Wolff happier than taking a win at his home race.

‘We knew Barcelona would be a good measure of our recent progress. The team has worked hard to improve the W15 at circuits with a wide corner speed range, like Barcelona. Those incremental gains helped us build on the momentum from Montreal. Although we didn’t have the ultimate pace to compete for the win, it was encouraging to be in the mix. Lewis scored a well-deserved podium and George managed his final stint well to take P4. We came away from the weekend with solid points but we know there is more work to do to be in with a realistic chance of fighting for victories. That work is ongoing, and we are on a positive trajectory.

‘We head to Austria looking to continue that positive progress. It is a very different circuit to last weekend. There is plenty of low to mid-speed content, punctuated by some longer straights. That will provide another challenge and reference point for our car. The group at the front of the field is tightly packed and we will have to be at our best to challenge for the podium once again,’ said Wolff.

First Home Race Of 2024 For Red Bull

The race at Spielberg, on their home track, is one that Red Bull aim to win every year, and 2024 is no different for Championship leader Max Verstappen…

‘We always feel really welcome and enjoy coming back to Austria, being a home race for Red Bull. The scenery and mountains around here are great and it is always good to see the Orange Army fans here and really feel that support from the grandstand. It is another Sprint race this weekend, which always ends up being a hectic and busy weekend for us. It is really important to nail the set up of the car straight away and analyse how best we build and improve on our previous races, especially as qualifying is always close here. The track lends itself to a lot of overtaking so I’m sure it will be an exciting race. The Team performed well here last year so hopefully we can do the fans proud this weekend and bring it home with another win.’

Austrian Grand Prix: Fast Facts

• With a lap record of just 1:02.939, set by Valtteri Bottas in 2020, the circuit in Spielberg is the shortest in terms of time on the 2024 calendar.
• Despite that, it ranks fifth in terms of shortest distance, clocking in at 4.318 km. Only Monaco, Zandvoort, Mexico City, and Interlagos are shorter.
• With just 10 corners, the Ring has the fewest of any track of the current F1 circuits. At the same time, Turns 2, 5 and 8 are taken at full throttle and are therefore not considered to be corners in an engineering sense.
• Austria is one of four tracks on the calendar in 2024 (Miami, Canada, and Las Vegas) to have three corners that are taken at full throttle.
• There are large demands placed on a car’s handling in Austria, whilst at the same time the circuit demands good mechanical grip at low speed (Turns 1, 3, and 4) and strong performance at high speed (Turns 6-7 and 9-10). Engineers have to find the best compromise with set-up in order to achieve the best lap time.
• The difference in elevation of 69 metres between the lowest and highest points at the circuit is one of the largest of the season. That is unsurprising given the track’s location in the Styrian mountains.
• It also has a steep gradient from track edge-to-edge in places, as exemplified by Turns 3 and 4. The circuit here slopes up towards the apex as the car drives over the crest while accelerating out of the corner. This can result in one wheel leaving the ground, causing challenges with braking, stability, and traction.
• The track has three very hard braking zones in succession on the approaches to Turns 1, 3, and 4. As the brakes are unable to cool down sufficiently over the rest of the track, as the lap is relatively short, it has an impact on the maximum pressures and general wear and tear experienced.
• For that reason, teams must apply significant cooling levels to the brakes. That poses a challenge in warming up the front tyres. With a short out-lap, it is a challenge to get them in the right operating window for a qualifying lap.
• The Ring is notorious for its aggressive kerbs and is considered to be one of the toughest tests for vehicle suspension. This especially applies to the kerbs at the exit of T1, T6, and T7, which take a high toll on the cars due to their amplitude (i.e. the gap between the highest and lowest points of the kerbs) and the frequency (speed effect) at which they are taken.
• To combat track limits violations, a 2.5 metre wide gravel strip has been added behind the kerb at the exit of T9 and T10.
• With a maximum previously-recorded track temperature of 55.1 degrees, the surface at the Ring can be the hottest of the season.
• 2024 sees Austria host the third F1 Sprint weekend of the season. It will be the third year in a row Spielberg has hosted this format.