MotoGP | Austrian GP | Preview
After a record-breaking weekend at the #CzechGP, we look forward to a weekend of thrills at the #AustrianGP.
The first #AustrianGP was held in 1971 at the Salzburgring circuit, however due to the high-speed nature and the lack of run off area, it was considered too dangerous to continue running races. The current #AustrianGP is held at the Red Bull Ring (previously the A1- Ring circuit), which prior to 2016 had hosted two previous events, in 1996 and 1997.
The Red Bull Ring has been Ducati’s hunting round since its return to the calendar in 2016, seeing wins from Iannone (2016), Dovizioso (2017 & 2019) and Lorenzo (2018). The 2016 #AustrianGP was the first time there had been Italian riders aboard Italian motorbikes since the 500cc #FinnishGP in 1972. Whilst Yamaha are the most successful team with nine premier class wins at the #AustrianGP, at the Red Bull Ring their best results came with Lorenzo (2016) and Quartararo (2019). Norick Abe and Luca Cadalora finished 3rd in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Prior to 2016, Rossi was the only current rider to have competed there previously, as his first 125cc podium came at the A1-Ring in 1996.
Following last weekend’s record-breaking #CzechGP, Binder became the first South African to win a premier class Grand Prix, making him also the 3rd rider to win a MotoGP race having previously won in Moto2 and Moto3. Binder progressed through the ranks of the Red Bull Rookies Cup into the MotoGP class and is the first rider to win a premier class Grand Prix, after winning a race in the Red Bull Rookies Cup (Estoril, 2011). KTM joined the MotoGP World Championship in 2017, after successfully competing in the Moto3 and Moto2 categories over a number of years. Binder not only took his maiden win, but also the maiden win for KTM.
The podium finishers at the #CzechGP are remarkable in many ways, from Morbidelli taking his maiden podium in the premier class, to Zarco taking his first podium aboard a Ducati after the most perfect long lap penalty. This podium had been the first since the 2015 #BritishGP without a Spanish rider on the podium, and the first since the 2009 #BritishGP to have no previous MotoGP winner on the podium.
With Marquez ruled out for the #AustrianGP, it’s advantage to Quartararo, as he edges ahead in the title chase. However after a tough weekend, equalling his worst premier class finish, can Quartararo get back to winning ways in the Styrian hills or can KTM carry their momentum forward to reign supreme in their own backyard?
