The MotoGP World Championship resumes after the summer break. An event marked in red arrives for the leader and his bike. The second half of the season begins with promises and risks.
Dates and format of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg
The Red Bull Ring will host the event from August 15 to 17. There'll be a Sprint on Saturday the 16th and a race on Sunday the 17th. It's round 13 of the 2025 calendar, with a compressed weekend. Practice sessions and qualifying will set a decisive grid due to the length of the track.
The European schedule benefits fans, with sessions in the afternoon slot. The Sprint awards valuable points that usually shape Sunday's grid.
Spielberg, the gap in a legendary record that's still missing
Márquez has never won at this circuit in the premier class. He has come close to victory with memorable duels and edge-of-the-seat finishes. That last corner with Dovizioso in 2017 still defines the place. The statistics add pressure, but also fuel for a competitor like him.
In addition, Portimão and Mandalika are still pending on the calendar. With Ducati, the context changes compared to his full stint with Honda.
Red Bull Ring 2025: chicane, acceleration, and why it usually favors Ducati
The track demands strong acceleration and very heavy braking. The chicane added in 2022 lowered the average, but kept its challenges. Ducati usually leads here thanks to traction, stability, and usable power. The circuit's elevation (height) and its ten corners punish any doubts at the start.
KTM races at home and already knows how to win in Spielberg. The current fastest lap is 1:27.748, set by Jorge Martín in 2024. That record describes an explosive scenario of acceleration and short braking. The Desmosedici GP25 has improved mid-range delivery and entry.
Current standings and leader's pace in the 2025 season
As of August 14, the leader has 381 points in the World Championship. The lead is 120 over Álex and 168 over Bagnaia. The year shows Sunday and sprint victories, as well as decisive poles. That performance keeps the favorite label in historically adverse territory.
The summer brought wins at Sachsenring, Brno, Assen, and Mugello. That stretch built a cushion that withstands less perfect weekends. In terms of E-A-T, it's worth remembering that points aren't given away. Finishing ahead here would validate performance, not just break a statistic.
Double test: Austria and Balaton Park debut next week
After Spielberg comes Hungary with the debut of Balaton Park, from August 22 to 24. It'll be 2.54 mi. (4.08 km) and eighteen corners that will require immediate adaptation. The doubleheader will compress decisions on compounds, aerodynamics, and unit management. Will the leader keep momentum and close his Austrian wound before the Hungarian baptism? The answer will be born in Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's start.