MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring: Six good reasons for being there

The sight of 22 riders hurtling around the 4,348 metres Red Bull Ring on machines that weigh in at 157kg and produce more than 250hp is a recipe for a Grand Prix race that will have spectators biting their fingernails and jumping up and down in their seats. The winner will be the contestant who consistently finds the perfect line. The Austrian racing outfit KTM are determined to secure a third home victory in this ultimate horsepower battle at Spielberg and will be represented by two hotshots in the shape of Brad Binder and Jack Miller. Purchase your ticket now and watch the action live!

As in Formula 1, a sprint prelude on Saturday afternoon will provide bonus action on the track. The format favours the risk-takers and the tyre managers, but the biggest winners are probably the fans, who will get to see even more exciting wheel-to-wheel duels and spectacular overtaking manoeuvres. Half the normal race distance will be covered, i.e. 14 laps, which may not sound a lot, but each rider will be shifting gears between 500 and 800 times, with 30 percent of the time spent pulling on the brake lever. On the subject of braking, the Münzer chicane (introduced in 2022) is one of the most aggressive direction changes on the entire racing calendar, which will require Jack Miller and his opponents to apply the rear brake extremely hard.

Even though the incorporation of the Münzer chicane means that the Red Bull Ring is no longer the fastest circuit on the MotoGP calendar, the speeds at which the bikes are ridden will still give the fans goose bumps. On the weekend of 18th ‑ 20th August, you will see the best riders in the world at work, battling with opponents and controlling the brute force of their bikes with incredible body control. The current lap record (new track layout) was set last year by Jorge Martin with a time of 1:29.804 minutes.

The MotoGP weekend is going to be a busy one from start to finish. From Friday through to Sunday, riders in three classifications will be competing for victories and championship points. In addition to the smaller but no less exciting Moto2 and Moto3 series, you will also get to see the Red Bull Rookies Cup. This year, 26 riders are in the line-up, including the two Austrian youngsters Jakob Rosenthaler and Leo Rammerstorfer. It’s a youth programme that KTM factory rider Brad Binder also went through. The biggest lesson he learned back then? “That the competition was really tough and it took time to fight and win at the top.”

At Spielberg, you’ll not only see your favourite riders in action on the track, but also off it in relaxation mode. Fans who arrive as early as Thursday will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the riders and admire their bikes during the Pit Lane Walk. Access to the Pit Lane Walk is open to all fans with a valid weekend ticket, but the principle is first come, first served. Throughout the weekend, the MotoGP stars will be making further public appearances. Download the free Red Bull Ring App on your smartphone and make sure you’re the first to know where and when Brad Binder and the other riders can be found.

The atmosphere at the Red Bull Ring is unique, as spectators can take time off between racing action to enjoy other attractions and forms of entertainment. In the MotoGP Bike City, directly behind the Steiermark Grandstand, the race organisers will be laying on a four-day full-throttle programme featuring such great music acts as Egon7 and We Salute You (the world’s biggest tribute band to AC/DC). There will also be thrilling FMX shows in which the two-wheel acrobats catapult themselves over metre-high ramps and perform spectacular stunts high above the ground. Also on site will be retail outlets selling the latest branded merchandise and food stands catering to all tastes. The Flying Bulls will provide the icing on the cake on race Sunday with an air display above the Murtal valley.