F1 Austrian Grand Prix: What will the weather be like at the Red Bull Ring this weekend?

The Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring, a fast and hilly circuit located at over 700 meters above sea level in the Styrian mountains. Measuring 4.318 km and consisting of ten turns, it combines power and technicality, especially in its more winding second half. Rich with a history linked to iconic figures like Niki Lauda, this event, revived in 2014 thanks to Red Bull, has become a highly anticipated date on the calendar, much appreciated by Austrian and also Dutch fans.

The heatwave affecting Western Europe has shifted eastward. Meanwhile, Atlantic circulation is prevailing in the north, while an unstable barometric swamp extends over France and the Alps, linked to an altitude depression centered on the Pas-de-Calais. This context creates a humid southwesterly flow between the Gulf of Genoa and Germany, while Austria remains under the influence of a northwesterly to northerly upper-level flow, which is moderately dynamic. On the surface, a low-pressure area between northern Italy and Hungary accentuates the convergence of winds. This context favored strong instability on Thursday, resulting in intense showers and hail above the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg. However, an improvement is expected from Friday thanks to an anticyclonic push from the Azores (1024 hPa), offering a sunny and warm start to the weekend, before a likely resumption of stormy activity on Sunday afternoon.

Friday, June 27: Free Practice 1 (1:30 PM) and Free Practice 2 (5 PM)

After the overnight showers, Friday opens with a still heavily clouded sky, at least until the late morning. But from the early afternoon, a clear improvement is on the horizon: the weather becomes dry and sunny spells gradually take over.

On the temperature side, the mercury will fluctuate between 25°C and 27°C during the two free practice sessions, while the track will warm up further, reaching between 35°C and 46°C. A low risk of showers (20%) remains from 3 PM. The winds will blow from the northwest at 15 km/h, with gusts up to 25 km/h.

Saturday, June 28: Free Practice 3 (12:30 pm) and Qualifying (4:00 pm)

Saturday will start under a cloudy sky, with persistent gloom until mid-morning. Gradually, the clouds will give way to sunny intervals, signaling a gradual improvement in weather conditions.

Temperatures will rapidly climb throughout the hours to reach a maximum of 28°C in the afternoon. This heat, combined with more generous sunshine (UV index of 8), will raise the track temperature to 48°C, potentially impacting tire grip and degradation.

The wind, meanwhile, will blow from the northwest throughout the day at an average speed of 15 km/h. It will become stronger in the second part of the afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 30 km/h between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., which could locally disrupt the stability of single-seaters on certain exposed sections of the track.

Sunday, June 29: The race (3 PM)

Sunday is shaping up to be summery, with clear blue skies from the first light of day. Temperatures will still be cool at dawn, around 14°C, but the heat will quickly settle in as the hours pass. The mercury will rise steadily to reach up to 29°C by mid-afternoon. On the asphalt, thanks to the altitude and generous sunshine, the track temperature could reach between 45°C and 49°C.

The sky will remain mostly clear, although some cumulus clouds may appear, without altering the overall sunny impression. The wind will blow steadily from the northeast at about 10 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 25 km/h, especially between noon and 4 PM.

A parameter to closely monitor will be the potential for convective development in the region. If humidity increases in the afternoon, there could be an isolated risk of thunderstorms, mainly over the mountain ranges surrounding the circuit, as is often the case in Styria at this time of year. At this stage, this scenario remains unlikely, but we will update this forecast if necessary by Sunday.