MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch & more

MotoGP has set up camp at the Red Bull Ring for a double-header starting this weekend with the Austrian Grand Prix. Here’s how to watch qualifying.

Marc Marquez remains out of action after his second surgery to fix the plate in his broken right arm, with Honda test rider Stefan Bradl stepping in again, but the team hasn’t ruled out the reigning champion returning for the second Red Bull Ring race.

KTM’s Pol Espargaro topped the combined Friday practice timesheet, after FP2 was held in mixed conditions due to a brief rain downpour, to maintain the Austrian brand’s strong form fresh from Brad Binder securing his and the team’s maiden MotoGP race win last time out in the Czech Republic.

Andrea Dovizioso enjoyed a stronger start to his Austrian GP weekend in second place after a nightmare at Brno, but his Ducati future continues to dominate the headlines, with the Italian manufacturer set to make a call on his contract negotiations at the end of the Red Bull Ring double-header.

While Yamaha is bracing for a tough couple of races in Austria, the Iwata factory has made a request to all MotoGP manufacturers to unseal its engines on safety grounds due to a series of mechanical issues.

Fresh from his first MotoGP podium, Franco Morbidelli led the Yamaha charge in the dry FP1 session in fifth place, behind LCR Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami in third and Suzuki’s Alex Rins in fourth, with fellow Brno rostrum finisher Johann Zarco in sixth place for Avintia Ducati.

As ever, focus will shift to Saturday morning’s FP3 with riders looking to lockdown an automatic Q2 spot for qualifying. Currently, Maverick Vinales (11th), Valentino Rossi (13th), Cal Crutchlow (14th) and Brno winner Binder (16th) are the big-hitters that remain outside the top 10 spots.

What time does qualifying for Austrian MotoGP start?

Qualifying for the Austrian MotoGP is set to start at 2:10pm local time (1:10pm BST), using the regular Q1 and Q2 sessions format. Qualifying takes place directly after the 30-minute FP4 session which is set to start at 1:30pm local time (12:30pm BST).

The fastest 10 MotoGP riders on the FP1-2-3 combined timesheet automatically head into Q2, with the rest of the riders entering Q1 of qualifying. The two riders who are fastest in the 15-minute Q1 session will progress into Q2 to compete with the top 10 from practice. Q2, which also lasts 15 minutes, decides who gets pole position and the qualifying order for the front four rows of the grid.

Date: Saturday 15 August 2020
Start time: 2:10pm local time – 1:10pm BST

How can I watch qualifying?

In the United Kingdom, every MotoGP practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on BT Sport. MotoGP also offers its own live online video streaming service.

What’s the weather forecast for qualifying at the Red Bull Ring?

With the unpredictable Styrian mountain weather set to hit all weekend, the current weather forecast is unsettled for qualifying, with a high chance of rain and possible thunderstorms. A high of 25 degrees Celsius for qualifying will be effectively the same temperatures as FP2.

Red Bull Ring FP1 result