What Is 2016 Red Bull Ring GP2 Series round

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Red Bull Ring GP2 Series round was held on July 2–3, 2016, at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, serving as the fifth round of the 2016 GP2 season and supporting the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.

Key Facts

The 2016 Red Bull Ring GP2 round took place on July 2–3, 2016
It was the fifth round of the 2016 GP2 Series season
Pierre Gasly won the Feature Race after starting second
Antonio Giovinazzi claimed victory in the Sprint Race
The Red Bull Ring is located in Spielberg, Austria, and sits at an elevation of 670 meters

Overview

The 2016 Red Bull Ring GP2 Series round was a pivotal event in the 2016 GP2 championship, held in support of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Taking place on July 2 and 3, this was the fifth of eleven rounds in the season and attracted strong competition from rising motorsport talents.

The circuit, located in Spielberg, Austria, provided a high-altitude challenge at 670 meters above sea level, influencing engine performance and aerodynamics. The weekend featured the standard GP2 format: a Feature Race and a Sprint Race, each offering crucial points in the championship battle.

July 2–3, 2016 marked the official dates of the GP2 Series round at the Red Bull Ring, aligning with the Formula 1 race weekend.
The Red Bull Ring is a 4.318-kilometer (2.683-mile) circuit with 10 turns, known for its fast straights and elevation changes.
Pierre Gasly won the 30-lap Feature Race, driving for DAMS, after starting from second position on the grid.
Antonio Giovinazzi claimed first place in the 21-lap Sprint Race, representing Prema Racing, despite starting third.
Norman Nato finished second in the Feature Race, securing valuable points for his team, Racing Engineering.

How It Works

The GP2 Series followed a structured race weekend format designed to test driver consistency, strategy, and team performance under F1-level conditions. Each round included two races with different qualifying and starting rules.

Feature Race: This 30-lap race used a traditional qualifying session to determine the starting grid. The top eight finishers earned championship points, with the winner receiving 25 points.
Sprint Race: The starting order was determined by reversing the top eight finishers from the Feature Race, adding unpredictability and increasing overtaking opportunities.
Qualifying Format: A single 30-minute session set the grid for the Feature Race, with the fastest lap determining pole position and influencing Sprint Race strategy.
Driver Penalties: Grid penalties were applied for engine changes or unsportsmanlike conduct, impacting race strategies and starting positions.
Team Strategy: Teams had to manage tire wear and pit stop timing, especially on a track with high brake and engine stress like the Red Bull Ring.
Championship Points: Points were awarded to the top 10 finishers in the Feature Race and top 8 in the Sprint Race, with an additional point for the fastest lap.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 Red Bull Ring GP2 round results are best understood in context with other rounds of the season and the broader championship standings.

Race	Winner	Team	Laps	Winning Time
Feature Race	Pierre Gasly	DAMS	30	52:44.388
Sprint Race	Antonio Giovinazzi	Prema Racing	21	31:22.154
Fastest Lap (Feature)	Artem Markelov	Russian Time	-	1:13.073
Fastest Lap (Sprint)	Antonio Giovinazzi	Prema Racing	-	1:13.702
Pole Position	Antonio Giovinazzi	Prema Racing	-	1:12.682

This table highlights key performance metrics from the weekend. While Gasly took the Feature Race win, Giovinazzi’s pole position and Sprint Race victory underscored his speed and consistency. The tight lap times reflect the competitive nature of the 2016 GP2 field, where margins were often under half a second.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Red Bull Ring GP2 round played a crucial role in shaping the season’s championship narrative and showcased future Formula 1 talent. These races provided a proving ground for drivers later promoted to F1, including Gasly and Giovinazzi.

Championship Impact: Gasly’s win narrowed the gap to series leader Sergey Sirotkin, making the title race more competitive heading into the second half of the season.
Driver Development: GP2 served as a primary feeder series to F1, and strong performances here boosted drivers’ profiles with F1 teams.
Team Performance: DAMS and Prema Racing demonstrated dominance, highlighting their technical and strategic excellence in high-pressure environments.
Technical Challenge: The high-altitude Red Bull Ring stressed engines and cooling systems, offering real-world testing for future F1 upgrades.
Fan Engagement: Supporting the Austrian Grand Prix brought larger audiences, increasing visibility for GP2 and its drivers.
Legacy Value: The 2016 season was the final year of the GP2 Series before rebranding to FIA Formula 2 in 2017, making this round historically significant.

The Red Bull Ring event exemplified the intensity and professionalism of GP2, bridging the gap between junior formulas and Formula 1. Its legacy endures in the careers of drivers who competed there and the evolution of the FIA’s support series structure.