Welcome to the Austria F1 24 Track Guide!
Get ready to conquer the fast-paced and thrilling Austria circuit, officially known as the Red Bull Ring. This guide will break down each sector in detail, offering corner-by-corner tips, previous pole lap benchmarks, and crucial car setup advice to help you master the Austrian Grand Prix. Austria is famous for its high-speed straights, flowing Sector 2, and stunning mountain backdrop, making it one of the most exciting circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or new to the sport, this Austria F1 guide will help you navigate the track with precision and speed, setting you up for success in one of the most exhilarating races of the season.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Spielberg, Austria
- Length: 4.318 km (2.688 miles)
- Corners: 10
- DRS Zones: 3
- Layout: A high-speed circuit featuring fast straights, flowing corners, and challenging elevation changes.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt with good grip, though tire management can be tricky due to the high-speed nature of the track.
- Unique Feature: The sweeping turns in Sector 2, offering a unique flow that requires precision and timing, combined with the stunning backdrop of the Styrian Alps.
Sector 1: Turns 1-2
- Turn 1 (Niki Lauda):
The lap begins with a heavy braking zone as you approach Turn 1, Niki Lauda, after the main straight. Brake hard and shift down quickly, lining up for the tight right-hander. Be careful not to brake too late, as this can upset the balance of the car and affect your exit onto the next straight. You can take quite a bit of kerb on the inside, but avoid running wide on exit as there is a sausage kerb that can damage the underfloor and compromise your exit. - Turn 2:
Turn 2, is a slight left-hand kink where you’ll want to clip the apex. Stay tight but avoid overcommitting to the inside, as it will compromise your speed into Turn 3. keep the car stable for the upcoming turn 3.
Sector 2: Turns 3-6
- Turn 3 (Ams AG):
Turn 3, is a slow-speed right-hander. Approach with confidence, using the full width of the track to carry maximum speed. It’s important to stay balanced through this corner to avoid understeer that could cost time on the following straight. Traction out of this corner is crucial to a good lap time, this also leads to a DRS zone with an approach to turn 4 that is a great overtaking spot. - Turn 4 (Rauch):
Turn 4, is a medium speed right-hander. While it may seem like a simple corner, getting a good exit here is crucial as it leads into Turn 5. Keep the car stable and avoid running wide to ensure a smooth transition into the next section. Apply the throttle gradually to avoid oversteer as this corner is slightly of camber, utilise trail braking to avoid locking the front right tyre - Turn 5:
Turn 5 is where the flow of the track becomes more technical. This is more of a slight right hand kink that flows out of turn 4, position the car ready for turn 6. - Turn 6:
This is a fast left hander, clip the inside kerb and let the car run wide to the edge of the track, try not to go to wide as there is a gravel trap on the outside. Carry a lot of momentum through this corner to ensure a good lap time.
Sector 3: Turns 7-10
- Turn 7-8:
The turn 7-8 chicane can be attacked with a lot of speed. its important to carry momentum through this chicane for a good lap time, but avoid too much kerb as it will unsettle the car, there is a gravel trap on the outside of turn 8 so avoid running wide. - Turn 9 (Rindt):
Turn 9, is another right-hander where braking is crucial. This corner is downhill, which can make it tricky to judge your braking point. Focus on smooth inputs to avoid locking up and to carry as much speed as possible onto the final corner. You can carry a lot of speed through this corner but avoid clipping the inside kerb as it will make you understeer off and run wide on exit, track limits can be strict here so avoid running of track. - Turn 10:
The final corner, Turn 10, is a high-speed right-hand turn where precision is key. Brake gently to settle the car before attacking the corner with a smooth throttle application, aim for the inside kerb and barrier to carry maximum speed, don’t let the car run wide on exit as track limits are always monitored here. A clean exit is vital, as it sets you up for the short run to the start/finish line.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Austria F1 24 qualifying lap video, where I push the limits of precision and speed to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times. Experience the excitement of navigating Austria’s iconic corners like Remus, Kahlenberg, and Parabolica, and see how my lap compares to the best in Formula 1. Witness the technical skill needed to master this fast and thrilling circuit and immerse yourself in the adrenaline of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Previous Pole Lap Times at the Austria Grand Prix
Here are the pole lap times for the Austria Grand Prix in recent years, showcasing the incredible speed and precision required to master this fast and thrilling circuit.
- 2024 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:04.314
- 2023 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:04.391
- 2022 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:04.984
- 2021 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:03.720
- 2020 Pole Lap: Valtteri Bottas – 1:02.939
Personal Lap Reflection
I’m really happy with this lap overall. The Austria Grand Prix is always a thrill, with its two major overtaking opportunities that add so much excitement to racing here. For this lap, I managed to find a great balance between stability and speed with my setup, which helped me navigate this high-speed track with confidence.
However, I did out-brake myself into Turn 3 and missed the apex. That mistake cost me a bit of time as I couldn’t get on the power as early as I would’ve liked, which meant I lost some time heading down the next straight. The good news is that I had a strong entry into Turn 4, carrying a lot of speed through it and managing to make up for that earlier slip. This recovery helped me finish the second half of the lap with strong momentum.
Austria’s mix of long straights and fast corners makes it one of the most exciting tracks on the calendar, and it’s always a fun challenge to race here. It’s a fast-paced, short lap that really keeps you on your toes!
Austria F1 24 Setup
For my Austria F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup tailored for a 35% race distance with 100 AI difficulty. This setup was designed to handle the track’s high-speed straights and fast corners, offering a perfect balance of stability and speed. With Austria’s combination of quick transitions and tight overtaking zones, it’s crucial to maintain a setup that ensures precision while allowing maximum momentum through corners like Turn 1 and Turn 3.
The configuration I chose eliminates the need for mid-session adjustments, such as brake bias or differential changes, so you can focus entirely on mastering each corner. It’s a reliable “set it and forget it” approach, giving you the confidence to push your limits and perform at your best on this fast, exciting circuit.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 30 |
| Rear wing | 15 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 85% |
| Differential off-throttle | 20% | |
| Engine braking | 80% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.03 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 41 |
| Rear suspension | 1 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 17 | |
| Front ride height | 27 | |
| Rear ride height | 57 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 54% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 26.0psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 27.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 24.0psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 24.0psi |
Memorable Moments of the Austria Grand Prix
- A Dramatic Weekend for Lando Norris (2020):
The 2020 Austrian GP saw Lando Norris achieve his first-ever podium in Formula 1. After a chaotic race, Norris finished in third, proving McLaren’s resurgence and offering a glimpse of his future potential. - Niki Lauda’s First Home Victory (1984):
In 1984, Niki Lauda achieved his first home victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, a defining moment in his career. Lauda chased down Nelson Piquet for the lead during the 51-lap race, finally passing him at the Dr Tiroch Kurve. Despite suffering a gearbox issue that left only third and fifth gears functional, Lauda managed to stay ahead of Piquet, securing a comfortable victory. It was a race where only four cars finished on the lead lap, further highlighting Lauda’s resilience and skill in his home country. - Hamilton and Roseberg Clash “It Wasn’t Me That Crashed” (2016):
The 2016 Austrian Grand Prix featured another dramatic clash between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. On the final lap, Hamilton rapidly closed on Rosberg, who clipped the inside kerb at Turn 1, allowing Hamilton to get a run. As Hamilton attempted to pass at Turn 3, Rosberg’s steering wheel failed to turn right, causing a collision that damaged Rosberg’s front wing. Hamilton went on to win, while Rosberg limped to fourth as Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen passed him. A costly mistake in the heat of the moment. - Massa Takes Williams’ Most Recent Pole (2014):
At the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa achieved a remarkable feat by securing Williams’ first pole position in over two years. Massa made fewer mistakes than the other top contenders, edging out his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who started alongside him on the front row. Nico Rosberg from Mercedes completed the top three on the grid. This pole remains the most recent for Williams in Formula 1, marking a significant moment for the team during the season. - Controversy at the Finish Line (2002):
The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix became one of the most controversial moments in F1 history. Rubens Barrichello, who had led most of the race, was instructed by Ferrari on the final lap to move over and let teammate Michael Schumacher pass for the win. Despite leading the race, Barrichello complied, allowing Schumacher to take the victory with only a few meters remaining. The incident sparked outrage among fans and teams alike, leading to a fine of $1 million for Ferrari from the FIA. This moment also contributed to the subsequent ban on team orders in Formula 1.
Conclusion
The Austria Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring is a thrilling circuit that offers a perfect mix of high-speed straights and technical corners. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or just starting out, mastering this track requires precision, strategy, and the ability to adapt quickly to its flowing layout.
With its iconic overtaking opportunities and stunning views, the Austrian Grand Prix continues to deliver some of the most exciting racing in Formula 1 history. By following the tips and setup advice provided in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the circuit and achieve your best lap time yet. Now, it’s time to put your skills to the test and enjoy the excitement of racing at one of the fastest and most enjoyable tracks on the calendar. Happy racing!
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
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