The Austrian Grand Prix 2026 is the next round of the MotoGP World Championship after a dramatic San Marino Grand Prix. The event will take place from 18 to 20 September 2026 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.
The championship arrives in Austria with the MotoGP title race level on points. Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín both have 274 points, while Marco Bezzecchi is third with 241 points.
The Austrian weekend features MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. MotoGP will also have its Saturday Tissot Sprint before the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
If you are new to the championship, our guide to MotoGP basics explains the main race format and championship structure.
Austrian Grand Prix 2026 Overview
| Event | Austrian Grand Prix 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sport | Motorcycle Racing |
| Championship | MotoGP World Championship |
| Round | Round 15 of 22 |
| Date | 18 to 20 September 2026 |
| Location | Spielberg, Austria |
| Venue | Red Bull Ring |
| MotoGP Sprint | Saturday, 19 September |
| MotoGP Grand Prix | Sunday, 20 September |
| MotoGP Race Distance | 28 laps |
Austria is Round 15 of the 22-round 2026 MotoGP season. The Red Bull Ring is known for its fast sections, heavy braking zones, and short lap distance.
Red Bull Ring
The Austrian Grand Prix takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria. MotoGP returned to the circuit in 2016 after a long absence from the championship calendar.
The circuit is approximately 4.3 km long. Its combination of long straights and heavy braking zones places a strong emphasis on acceleration, braking, and qualifying position.
The Red Bull Ring also hosts the MotoGP Sprint on Saturday, giving riders an additional opportunity to score championship points before Sunday's main race.
Austrian Grand Prix 2026 Schedule
The following times are the official local track times for the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. The timetable can change if required.
Friday, 18 September
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Moto3 Free Practice 1 |
| 09:50 | Moto2 Free Practice 1 |
| 10:45 | MotoGP Free Practice 1 |
| 13:15 | Moto3 Practice |
| 14:05 | Moto2 Practice |
| 15:00 | MotoGP Practice |
Saturday, 19 September
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:40 | Moto3 Free Practice 2 |
| 09:25 | Moto2 Free Practice 2 |
| 10:10 | MotoGP Free Practice 2 |
| 10:50 | MotoGP Qualifying 1 |
| 11:15 | MotoGP Qualifying 2 |
| 12:45 | Moto3 Qualifying 1 |
| 13:10 | Moto3 Qualifying 2 |
| 13:40 | Moto2 Qualifying 1 |
| 14:05 | Moto2 Qualifying 2 |
| 15:00 | MotoGP Tissot Sprint, 14 laps |
Sunday, 20 September
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:40 | MotoGP Warm-up |
| 11:00 | Moto3 Race, 20 laps |
| 12:15 | Moto2 Race, 23 laps |
| 14:00 | MotoGP Grand Prix, 28 laps |
MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix Preview
The MotoGP championship could hardly be closer heading into Austria. Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín are tied on 274 points after the San Marino Grand Prix.
Márquez won both the San Marino Sprint and Grand Prix. His Grand Prix victory moved him level with Martín and gave him the championship lead on the countback.
Martín finished fifth at Misano and remains firmly in the title fight. Bezzecchi is third on 241 points after his early crash at the San Marino Grand Prix.
The Austrian round is therefore important for all three leading riders. A strong Sprint and Grand Prix could significantly change the championship order.
Current MotoGP Standings
Championship standings after the San Marino Grand Prix on 13 September 2026:
| Pos. | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc Márquez | 274 |
| 2 | Jorge Martín | 274 |
| 3 | Marco Bezzecchi | 241 |
| 4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | 223 |
| 5 | Pedro Acosta | 209 |
| 6 | Ai Ogura | 203 |
| 7 | Raúl Fernández | 199 |
| 8 | Álex Márquez | 153 |
| 9 | Francesco Bagnaia | 143 |
| 10 | Fermín Aldeguer | 105 |
Moto2 at the Austrian Grand Prix
Moto2 will have practice, qualifying and a 23-lap race at the Red Bull Ring. The championship battle is led by Manuel González.
González won the San Marino Moto2 race, strengthening his position at the top of the championship. Izan Guevara finished sixth, while Iván Ortolá finished fourth.
The Austrian round gives Guevara another opportunity to reduce the gap to González. Ortolá and Senna Agius also remain important riders in the championship fight.
Current Moto2 Standings
Championship standings after the San Marino Grand Prix:
| Pos. | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manuel González | 257.5 |
| 2 | Izan Guevara | 195 |
| 3 | Iván Ortolá | 170.5 |
| 4 | Senna Agius | 149 |
| 5 | David Alonso | 146 |
| 6 | Daniel Holgado | 137 |
Moto3 at the Austrian Grand Prix
Moto3 arrives in Austria with Maximo Quiles holding a large championship advantage. Quiles won the San Marino Grand Prix after a very close finish with David Almansa.
Quiles defeated Almansa by just 0.021 seconds at Misano. Brian Uriarte completed the podium.
The result increased Quiles' championship lead to 107 points. He now has 281 points compared with Almansa's 174.
Current Moto3 Standings
| Pos. | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximo Quiles | 281 |
| 2 | David Almansa | 174 |
| 3 | Álvaro Carpe | 159 |
| 4 | Brian Uriarte | 154 |
| 5 | Marco Morelli | 144 |
Key Storylines for Austria
Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín are level
The leading MotoGP riders arrive in Austria tied on 274 points. This makes both the Saturday Sprint and Sunday's Grand Prix important in the championship battle.
Bezzecchi needs a strong weekend
Marco Bezzecchi is 33 points behind the two championship leaders. A strong result at the Red Bull Ring could bring him back into the title fight.
Márquez returns as defending Austrian GP winner
Marc Márquez won the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Austria therefore provides another opportunity for him to strengthen his championship position.
His earlier MotoGP career also includes important championship battles and victories, including the Marc Márquez title battle in Valencia.
Moto2 title pressure is increasing
Manuel González has built a substantial advantage over Izan Guevara. Guevara needs a strong Austrian weekend to reduce the gap.
Quiles has a huge Moto3 advantage
Maximo Quiles leads David Almansa by 107 points. His victory at Misano further strengthened his position at the top of the Moto3 championship.
Recent Austrian Grand Prix Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Marc Márquez |
| 2024 | Francesco Bagnaia |
| 2023 | Francesco Bagnaia |
| 2022 | Francesco Bagnaia |
| 2021 | Brad Binder |
| 2021 Styrian GP | Jorge Martín |
| 2020 | Andrea Dovizioso |
| 2020 Styrian GP | Miguel Oliveira |
| 2019 | Andrea Dovizioso |
MotoGP History
LankaSport also has earlier MotoGP coverage that provides useful historical context. Readers can explore earlier MotoGP coverage from the championship's previous seasons.
There is also previous MotoGP results covering another important period in the championship.
For more background on Marc Márquez, readers can also see his earlier MotoGP success.
How the Austrian MotoGP Weekend Works
- Friday: Practice sessions for Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.
- Saturday: Final practice, qualifying and the MotoGP Sprint.
- Sunday: Moto3 race, Moto2 race and MotoGP Grand Prix.
The MotoGP Sprint is shorter than the Sunday Grand Prix and awards championship points. The Sunday Grand Prix remains the main race of the weekend.
What to Watch at the Austrian Grand Prix
- Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín start the weekend level on 274 points.
- Marco Bezzecchi attempting to close the 33-point gap.
- Whether Márquez can repeat his 2025 Austrian GP victory.
- Manuel González defending his Moto2 championship advantage.
- Maximo Quiles continuing his strong Moto3 season.
- The Saturday MotoGP Sprint and its effect on the championship.
- Qualifying position on a circuit where braking and acceleration are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Austrian Grand Prix 2026?
The Austrian Grand Prix 2026 will take place from 18 to 20 September 2026 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.
When is the MotoGP Sprint in Austria?
The MotoGP Tissot Sprint is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September at 15:00 local time and will run for 14 laps.
When is the Austrian MotoGP race?
The MotoGP Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, 20 September at 14:00 local time over 28 laps.
When are the Moto2 and Moto3 races?
The Moto3 race is scheduled for 11:00 on Sunday, and the Moto2 race for 12:15 on Sunday. Moto3 will run for 20 laps and Moto2 for 23 laps.
Who leads the MotoGP championship before Austria?
Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín are level on 274 points. Márquez leads on the countback because he has more Grand Prix victories.
Who won the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix?
Marc Márquez won the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.
Who leads Moto2 in 2026?
Manuel González leads the Moto2 championship heading into the Austrian Grand Prix.
Who leads Moto3 in 2026?
Maximo Quiles leads the Moto3 championship with 281 points, 107 points ahead of David Almansa.
Related Reading
- MotoGP basics
- earlier MotoGP coverage
- Marc Márquez title battle
- previous MotoGP results
- earlier MotoGP success
Schedule information may change. Championship standings are based on results following the San Marino Grand Prix on 13 September 2026.