2024 F1 Austrian GP Preview: Sprint Race Returns

The 2024 F1 World Championship heads to the Red Bull Ring in Styria this weekend for the Austrian Grand Prix.

The race, the 11th on the F1 calendar, is the second of a triple-header and the third sprint race of the season following the Chinese and Miami GPs. The sprint race is an independent points race held on Saturday prior to qualifying for the main race on Sunday. Qualifying takes place on Friday, with only one practice session.

The Red Bull Ring, where all the races take place, is famous for its high curbs and is considered one of the toughest tests for suspension. The curbs at the exit of Turn 1, Turn 6, and Turn 7 are particularly damaging to the cars due to their height and the speed at which the cars are traveling.

The circuit also features one of the shortest tracks of the season, at just 2.688 miles. This means that each lap takes just over a minute.

There are four long straights and three DRS zones; the DRS zones are located on the main straight, uphill from Turn 2 to Turn 3, and between Turns 3 and 4. One change this year is the addition of a wider gravel strip at the exit of Turn 9.

Although the track surface is heavily worn, there are only ten corners, so the lateral forces on the tires are relatively small and overall wear is very low. As a result, Pirelli nominated the softest compounds, C3, C4, and C5.

Another factor to consider for the Austrian round was the weather. The Red Bull Ring is located at a high altitude of 2,100 feet, making the temperatures somewhat cooler and the weather less predictable. Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen leads the drivers' championship with 219 points. McLaren's Lando Norris is second with 150 points and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is third with 148 points. Red Bull leads the Constructors' Championship with 330 points. Ferrari is second with 270 points and McLaren is third with 237 points. Last year's Austrian GP winner was Red Bull's Verstappen.