Leo Rammerstorfer ahead of his home GP: “The Red Bull Ring – my favourite track!”

Even though it only lasted a few minutes – the grins on the faces of German-speaking motorbike fans were impossible to miss when Leo Rammerstorfer was leading the Moto3 practice session at Misano. The reason was simple. On the damp track, the Austrian took a big risk and, with no pressure, found confidence in the wet tyres and his Honda bike. Although he ultimately finished second behind Joel Kelso, the rookie from the Mühlviertel region certainly made his mark.

On GP Saturday, the conditions and result were similar. Once again, the youngsters had to take to the Adria Circuit in the morning on a track even wetter than on Friday, and once again the SIC58 rider moved up into the leading pack, much to the delight of the home team. Leo Rammerstorfer finished FP2 in eighth place, three positions ahead of World Championship leader Maximo Quiles.

On a completely dry track, however, the 22-year-old was no longer able to keep up with the pace of the leaders. In qualifying, Rammerstorfer was two seconds off pole position (David Almansa) – finishing 23rd.

Things then took a particularly bitter turn at the San Marino Grand Prix. The first lap was not even over when the rookie spun off the track following a collision with Snipers-Honda rider Nicola Carraro. The double crash involving the young teammates was deemed a classic racing incident by race control; no penalties were imposed.

Following the eventful round on the Adriatic coast, Round 15 is set to be a very different affair. Although Rammerstorfer’s home town lies in Upper Austria rather than Styria, all the conditions for his first home Grand Prix have been met. Leo Rammerstorfer travelled to Spielberg in 24th place in the overall standings.

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Genießt den Heim-GP: Moto3-Rookie Leo Rammerstorfer

Foto: Gerhard Schiel

Leo Rammerstorfer told SPEEDWEEK.com enthusiastically: “As a good GP rider, you probably shouldn’t have a favourite track. You have to give it your all on every circuit. I see myself as a rider who can adapt well and find my feet quickly – but even so, the Red Bull Ring is my absolute favourite track.”

Unlike many other circuits, the Moto3 rookie knows this track inside out. Rammerstorfer has already raced here successfully as a Red Bull rookie – in 2025 he finished both races in the points, 7th place in the second race was the youngster’s third-best result; he was only appointed as a Moto3 rider to Paolo Simoncelli’s team at a late stage and had already scored his first World Championship point at the season-opening race in Thailand.

Leo Rammersdorfer, whose SIC58 team, fittingly, always races in Austria’s national colours: “I can’t wait to compete in my very first home Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Competing in front of my family, my friends, my sponsors and the Austrian fans is a dream come true. I’m ready to savour this special moment and give it my all on the track.”