2026 Austrian Grand Prix - weather forecast
The 2026 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix is set to take place at the Red Bull Ring from June 26 to June 28, and the early weather forecast points to a hot, mostly dry race weekend in Spielberg.
After several unpredictable race weekends in recent years, teams and fans may be looking at a more straightforward weather picture in Austria. Current forecasts suggest high temperatures throughout the weekend, with sunshine expected across practice, qualifying, and race day.
Austrian GP 2026 Weather Forecast
The forecast for Spielberg currently shows a very warm weekend, with temperatures reaching around 33°C on Friday and Saturday, and potentially climbing to 34°C on Sunday.
Friday, June 26 --- Practice Day
Friday is expected to be sunny and very warm, with highs of around 33°C. That means FP1 and FP2 could take place in hot track conditions, giving teams important data on tyre degradation and cooling performance.
With the Red Bull Ring being a short, high-speed circuit with heavy braking zones, managing tyre temperatures could become a key part of the weekend.
Saturday, June 27 --- Qualifying Day
Saturday is forecast to remain sunny and hot, again with temperatures close to 33°C. These conditions should make qualifying more predictable from a weather perspective, but track temperature could play a major role in how quickly drivers can bring the tyres into the right operating window.
Expect teams to focus heavily on out-lap preparation, tyre warm-up, and avoiding overheating during push laps.
Sunday, June 28 --- Race Day
Race day currently looks partly sunny and very hot, with temperatures forecast to reach around 34°C. At the moment, rain does not appear to be the main threat for the Austrian Grand Prix, but heat could become one of the biggest strategic factors.
If the forecast holds, tyre degradation, brake cooling, and power unit temperatures could all influence race strategy.
How the Weather Could Affect the Austrian Grand Prix
A hot Austrian GP weekend could have a significant impact on race strategy. The Red Bull Ring has a short lap, long acceleration zones, and several heavy braking points, which can put stress on tyres and cooling systems.
High temperatures may increase thermal degradation, especially if track temperatures rise sharply during the afternoon sessions. This could push teams toward more conservative race strategies or make tyre management more important in the opening stint.
The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix could therefore become less about rain risk and more about who can control tyre temperatures most effectively across a full race distance.
Is Rain Expected for the 2026 Austrian GP?
At this stage, the forecast does not suggest a wet Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Friday and Saturday are expected to be sunny, while Sunday should be partly sunny and hot.
However, Spielberg is located in Styria, where weather can change quickly, especially during summer. Teams and fans should continue checking updates closer to the weekend, particularly for any late thunderstorm risk.
Key Weather Takeaways
The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix is currently expected to be:
- Hot across the full race weekend
- Mostly dry
- Sunny on Friday and Saturday
- Partly sunny on race day
- Potentially demanding for tyre and cooling management
If the forecast remains stable, the Red Bull Ring could deliver a fast, dry, strategy-focused race where tyre degradation and temperature control become decisive.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.