MotoGP is back on track! The second part of the season has arrived, and where better to kick things off than the iconic Red Bull Ring? Before we get set for engines to roar in Spielberg once more, it's time to dive into some of the fiercest battles, unforgettable overtake and shocks that Spielberg has delivered over the years for FREE!
2016: Iannone ends Ducati's win drought
The 2016 Austrian Grand Prix marked the start of a new era for MotoGP in Austria, and what a weekend it was! Andrea Iannone started from pole position, with the Italian eying to claim Ducati’s first premier class win since Casey Stoner in 2010. It was a perfect launch from the #29, who claimed the holeshot on the opening lap. Iannone had to battle hard with teammate Andrea Dovizioso as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo charged behind on the Yamahas. At the flag, Iannone claimed victory, holding off teammate Dovizioso as Lorenzo took third!
2017: Marc Marquez vs Dovizioso
Where do we even begin? The 2017 Austrian Grand Prix was a clash of two titans at the head of the field. Marc Marquez qualified in pole position, with title rival Andrea Dovizioso starting alongside. Marquez led the field into Turn 1 before Jorge Lorenzo began his attack, briefly launching into P1. It was soon a three-way fight for the win, with Lorenzo battling for P1 before dropping behind Dani Pedrosa. With Lorenzo falling back to fourth, everything built for a grandstand finish, with Marc Marquez launching an iconic dive bomb at the final corner. The move proved to be unsuccessful as Dovizioso reigned supreme, winning by just 0.176s!
2019: Marc Marquez vs Dovizioso – The Rematch
Marc Marquez blasted from pole position once more, but the #93 was quickly challenged by Dovizioso, with the pair running wide, handing Fabio Quartararo P1. Things soon settled down, with Quartararo dropping back to third before Marquez and Dovizioso traded blows at every opportunity. The last five laps will remain engraved in every MotoGP fan’s head, with the penultimate lap proving to be a preview of what was to come. Marquez led on the entry to the final corner, before Dovizioso launched one final attack at the final corner, allowing the Italian to win by just 0.213s!
2020: Styrian showdown
We know it’s not officially the Austrian GP, but we couldn’t ignore the 2020 Styrian GP, which featured everything you could ask for. As the lights went out, Joan Mir would storm into the lead during the early laps until a red flag was brought out following Maverick Viñales’ crash at Turn 1. Once the race restarted, a fierce three-way battle erupted at the front, with Pol Espargaro and Miguel Oliveira determined to end Ducati’s win streak at the circuit. The stage was set for fireworks in the final sector, with Jack Miller passing down the inside at the final corner, running himself and Espargaro wide, which handed Oliveira his maiden MotoGP win!
2021: Binder’s wet weather gamble
We don’t think the 2021 Austrian GP needs any introduction! It’s one of the most unforgettable MotoGP finishes ever, with drama on and off the track as rain began to fall. Marc Marquez led in the early stages, proving to be strong with spits of rain in the air, before most of the lead group entered the pits at the end of Lap 25, swapping machines to head out on wet tyres. However, Brad Binder would stay out, continuing to master the conditions on slick tyres to the surprise of teams, fans and fellow riders across the globe. Binder would keep his KTM on two wheels, charging to win the wet race on slicks ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin!