Austrian Grand Prix 1982 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Elio de Angelis claimed his second Grand Prix victory in Austria, threading his Lotus through a chaotic race that epitomized 1982's unpredictability. The Italian's smooth driving style suited the bumpy Osterreichring perfectly, allowing him to extract maximum performance from the turbocharged Lotus 91. Keke Rosberg finished second to boost his championship hopes significantly, moving into genuine contention for the title with four races remaining.

Jacques Laffite completed the podium for Ligier, demonstrating the French team's occasional competitiveness amid a generally difficult season. The championship battle had transformed completely following Pironi's career-ending crash, with five drivers mathematically capable of claiming the title. The wide-open nature of the contest reflected 1982's chaotic character, where attrition, reliability issues, and tragedy had prevented any driver from establishing dominance. Formula 1 was witnessing one of its most unpredictable championship battles in history.