The Styrian Grand Prix was a short-lived but noteworthy addition to the Formula 1 calendar, created during the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Held at the Red Bull Ring, the race was named after the Austrian province of Styria and run as a double-header alongside the Austrian Grand Prix.
Although it only appeared in 2020 and 2021, the event delivered two contrasting victories that reflected the shifting competitive balance at the front of Formula 1.
What To Know?
- Two races, two different champions – Lewis Hamilton won in 2020 and Max Verstappen in 2021, both going on to finish either first or second in the Drivers’ Championship in their respective seasons.
- Both winners started from pole – Track position proved crucial at the Red Bull Ring, with both Styrian Grands Prix won from pole position.
- A true pandemic-era creation – The race existed solely because of calendar disruption caused by COVID-19, making it one of several temporary Grands Prix introduced in 2020 and 2021.
- Held at the same venue as the Austrian GP – The Styrian Grand Prix was run on consecutive weekends at the Red Bull Ring, creating one of the sport’s rare modern double-headers at a single circuit.
List of Every Styrian Grand Prix Winner
| Year | Circuit | Driver | Constructor | Start | Win margin | Race time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull Ring | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1 | 0.194s | 1hr 03m 841s | |
| Red Bull Ring | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1 | 13.719s | 1hr 22m 50.683s |
Styrian Grand Prix Winners: 2020 to 2021
The inaugural Styrian Grand Prix took place in 2020 as part of a heavily revised calendar. After a rain-affected qualifying session, Lewis Hamilton secured pole position and converted it into a controlled victory for Mercedes. Hamilton managed the race from the front, demonstrating Mercedes’ continued dominance during that phase of the turbo-hybrid era.
Originally conceived as a one-off event, the Styrian Grand Prix returned in 2021 when calendar reshuffles once again required flexibility. This time, it was Max Verstappen who claimed pole and delivered a commanding performance for Red Bull Racing. Verstappen controlled the pace throughout and fended off late pressure to secure victory on home soil for the team, marking a key moment in his 2021 championship campaign.
The event was discontinued after 2021, with the Red Bull Ring reverting to hosting only the Austrian Grand Prix from 2022 onward. Despite its brief lifespan, the Styrian Grand Prix marked a unique chapter in Formula 1 history, as adaptability kept the championship alive.
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