The Grand Prix used a new layout of the Red Bull Ring, wherein a chicane was added to the previous fast slight-left hander of turn 2.

The new variation to the circuit follows safety reviews into the high speed accident on lap 9 of the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix.

[2] In the MotoGP class, Stefan Bradl continues to replace Marc Márquez in the Repsol Honda Team, Lorenzo Savadori runs as a wildcard with Aprilia for the fourth time in this championship.

In the Moto2 class Sam Lowes was forced to miss the Grand Prix due to the dislocation of his left shoulder, and later further checks also revealed a fracture in the upper part of the humerus.

To replace him on the Kalex of the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is the seventeen year old Australian Senna Agius.

After the British Grand Prix, Fabio Quartararo maintains the lead in the riders' standings with 180 points, plus 22 over Aleix Espargaró.

The first session, held in wet-dry conditions, saw Jack Miller as the fastest ahead of Johann Zarco and Joan Mir.