Returning to the MotoGP World Championship calendar in 2016, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg has produced its fair share of racing spectacles. Characterised by hard braking and heavy acceleration, the track presents unique demands.

Feeling generally strong at stop-and-go circuits, Joan Mir is out to get over the rash of falls and bad luck which have hidden his form in recent rounds. The Austrian track has been a boon for the #36 in the past, claiming his first World Championship win there in 2016 and taking a debut premier class podium at the track during his 2020 title run. As always, the objective for the weekend will be to make forward progress and continue improving the Repsol Honda Team RC213V.

On the other side of the garage, Luca Marini lands in Austria with ever-improving form. Although the final result on Sunday was disappointing, Marini was able to put together a consistent weekend in Silverstone and cement his progress. Like his teammate, the #10 has achieved two podiums in Austria, both in Moto2, and taken three top five finishes in his last three premier class appearances at the circuit.

The Austrian GP marks the official start of the second half of the MotoGP World Championship season, starting an intense run of nine races across Europe and Asia in the next two months.

Location: Red Bull Ring – Spielberg

The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is located beautifully in the Murtal-region of Styria, Austria. The circuit was originally built in 1969, then known as the Österreichring. In 1996 it was rebuilt with the track-layout it still had when, in 2011, it was reopened as the Red Bull Ring and again became the centre of Austrian motorsports. The sloping terrain and the natural arena are trademark features of the Red Bull Ring with the 18-metre-high landmark “Bull of Spielberg” in the centre and the voestalpine wing offering a spectacular architectural highlight. With a length of 4.318 km it features 10 turns and an altitude difference of 65 metres.  In 2016 MotoGP™ racing returned to Austria for the first time since 1997 and further adjustments have been made to the Red Bull Ring layout following a private test held earlier in the summer. FIM Safety Officer Franco Uncini discussed the layout with some riders of the Safety Commission and it was agreed to reduce the width of Turn 10 of the circuit from 13 to 10 metres – to lower the speed when exiting the corner and improve the safety of the turn.