What Is 2015 Red Bull Ring GP2 Series round

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Red Bull Ring GP2 Series round was the fourth round of the 2015 GP2 season, held from June 19 to June 21, 2015, at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, supporting the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Alexander Rossi won the feature race, while Stoffel Vandoorne claimed victory in the sprint race.

Key Facts

The 2015 Red Bull Ring GP2 round took place from June 19–21, 2015
It was the fourth round of the 14-round 2015 GP2 Series season
Alexander Rossi won the feature race, marking his first GP2 victory
Stoffel Vandoorne won the sprint race, extending his championship lead
The races were held at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, supporting the F1 Austrian GP

Overview

The 2015 Red Bull Ring GP2 Series round was a pivotal event in the 2015 GP2 championship, serving as the fourth of 14 rounds. Held at the historic Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, the event coincided with the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, drawing significant attention from motorsport fans.

This weekend showcased high-speed racing on a short but challenging 4.318-kilometer circuit featuring elevation changes and fast corners. The GP2 Series provided crucial support to F1, highlighting emerging talent and setting the stage for dramatic on-track action across two races.

Event dates: The round took place from June 19 to June 21, 2015, aligning with the F1 race weekend and drawing large crowds.
Circuit: The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, hosted the event on its 4.318-kilometer, 10-turn layout known for fast straights and elevation shifts.
Feature race winner:Alexander Rossi claimed his first GP2 victory in the feature race, driving for Racing Engineering.
Sprint race winner:Stoffel Vandoorne (ART Grand Prix) won the sprint race, consolidating his position at the top of the drivers' standings.
Championship impact: Vandoorne extended his lead in the championship to 37 points over teammate Nobuharu Matsushita after this round.

How It Works

The GP2 Series operates as a feeder series to Formula 1, featuring young drivers competing in identical cars to ensure fairness and emphasize driver skill. Each race weekend includes a feature race and a sprint race, with grid positions determined by qualifying and reverse-grid rules.

Feature Race: The feature race is the longer of the two, covering approximately 140 kilometers. The top eight finishers are awarded points on a 25–18–15–12–10–8–6–4 scale.
Sprint Race: The sprint race is shorter, about 100 kilometers, with the grid set by reversing the top eight finishers from the feature race. Points are awarded to the top six.
Qualifying:Qualifying determines the starting order for the feature race. It is a single-session, 30-minute event with all drivers on track simultaneously.
Driver Eligibility: Drivers must be under 25 years old and hold an FIA Super Licence to compete, ensuring the series develops future F1 talent.
Team Structure: Teams like Racing Engineering and ART Grand Prix operate with two-car entries, managing strategy and pit stops similar to F1 teams.
Car Specifications: All teams use the Dallara GP2/11 chassis powered by a 4.0L V8 engine, producing around 620 horsepower, ensuring close competition.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 Red Bull Ring GP2 round compared to other key rounds in the season:

Race Round	Date	Feature Race Winner	Sprint Race Winner	Championship Leader
Bahrain	April 18–19	Stoffel Vandoorne	Alexander Rossi	Stoffel Vandoorne
Baku	June 13–14	Arthur Pic	Stoffel Vandoorne	Stoffel Vandoorne
Red Bull Ring	June 19–21	Alexander Rossi	Stoffel Vandoorne	Stoffel Vandoorne
Spa-Francorchamps	August 22–23	Stoffel Vandoorne	Norman Nato	Stoffel Vandoorne
Abu Dhabi	November 28–29	Stoffel Vandoorne	Stefano Coletti	Stoffel Vandoorne

This table illustrates the consistency of Stoffel Vandoorne, who won multiple sprint races and maintained a commanding lead throughout the season. The Red Bull Ring round was notable for Alexander Rossi’s breakthrough win, breaking Vandoorne’s dominance in feature races.

Why It Matters

The 2015 Red Bull Ring GP2 round was significant both for individual driver development and the broader trajectory of the GP2 Series as a talent incubator. Several drivers from this event later transitioned to Formula 1 or other top-tier series.

Driver Breakthrough:Alexander Rossi’s win at the Red Bull Ring was his first in GP2, boosting his profile before moving to IndyCar.
Championship Momentum:Stoffel Vandoorne extended his lead, eventually winning the 2015 GP2 title and later becoming a McLaren F1 test driver.
Technical Development: The Dallara GP2/11 chassis used in 2015 was in its final season, paving the way for a new car in 2016.
F1 Pipeline: GP2 served as a direct feeder series to Formula 1, with drivers like Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly emerging from this system.
Global Exposure: Racing at F1 support events like the Austrian GP gave drivers international visibility and media coverage.
Team Performance:Racing Engineering demonstrated strong strategy and execution, helping Rossi secure a rare win against dominant ART.

This round exemplified the competitive depth of GP2 and its role in shaping future motorsport stars, reinforcing its importance in the racing ecosystem.