MOTOGP HEADS TO AUSTRIA AS MARQUEZ AND MARTIN ARRIVE LEVEL ON POINTS
After a dramatic San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, MotoGP heads straight to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix. The 15th round of the 2026 season will take place from September 18 to 20, with the championship fight becoming increasingly close at the top. Marc Marquez arrives in Austria as the new championship leader after his victory at Misano.
Marquez and Jorge Martin are tied on 274 points after the San Marino Grand Prix. The Ducati rider leads the championship because he has won five Grands Prix this season, compared with one victory for Martin. Marco Bezzecchi is third on 241 points, 33 behind the leading pair, after crashing on the opening lap at Misano.
Fabio Di Giannantonio is fourth with 223 points, followed by Pedro Acosta on 209 and Ai Ogura on 203. Acosta arrives at KTM’s home race after finishing on the podium at both Aragon and Misano, while Ogura is set to make his return after missing the last two Grands Prix because of a hand injury.
Ogura passed his first medical check on Thursday and has been cleared to take part in Friday’s first MotoGP practice session. However, the Trackhouse rider will be assessed again after FP1 before a final decision is made on whether he can continue for the rest of the weekend.
There will also be two confirmed absences in Spielberg. Maverick Viñales will miss another race as he continues his recovery from injury, with Pol Espargaro replacing him at Red Bull KTM Tech3 for the fourth consecutive Grand Prix. Espargaro has already substituted for Viñales at Silverstone, Aragon and Misano, where he qualified 12th.
Joan Mir will also miss the Austrian Grand Prix. Honda confirmed that medical checks after Misano found altered blood parameters that require further investigation. Takaaki Nakagami will replace Mir in Spielberg, with the Japanese rider also scheduled to take part in the post-race test on Monday.
The Red Bull Ring is one of the shortest circuits on the MotoGP calendar, measuring around 4.35 kilometres. The track has 11 corners, with eight right-handers and three left-handers, and features significant elevation changes. MotoGP returned to Austria in 2016 after an 18-year absence, with the Red Bull Ring becoming a regular part of the championship calendar.
The Austrian track is also known for its long straights and heavy braking zones. The official MotoGP circuit information lists the longest straight at 810 metres. The Grand Prix will run for 28 laps, covering 121.74 kilometres, while the Sprint will be held over 14 laps.
With Marquez and Martin arriving level on points and Bezzecchi still within striking distance, Austria could have an important impact on the championship standings. KTM will also have its home race, while Aprilia will look to respond after Bezzecchi’s costly crash at Misano. The fight at the front now moves to Spielberg, with very little separating the main title contenders.
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