MotoGP™ hit the Silverstone Circuit for Friday morning's Free Practice 1 and the 2023 MotoGP™ grid got their first taste of the action for the second half of the season, and with just 36 points covering the top 3 in the championship, there's plenty to play for!
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) sits in P3 in the standings and took a firm hold of proceedings in FP1, controlling the session and seeing himself consistently at the top of the timing screens to take P1 with a 2:00.295. The Italian's teammate was looking just as strong as well, as the VR46 team was enjoying life at the sharp end. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) finished the session just 0.036s shy of Bezzecchi in P2. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is looking eager to gain points on his championship rivals Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) this weekend. The Spaniard sits one point ahead of Bezzecchi in 2nd place and 35 adrift from Bagnaia and is looking strong in Silverstone as he starts his weekend with 3rd place in FP1.
Things getting busy in the final few minutes! 💨
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 4, 2023
The @VR46RacingTeam boys launch to the top! 🚀#BritishGP 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/4vQTEHZhwc
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) put in a good run that saw the Frenchman take 4th place. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was making shapes on his KTM machine and was looking strong in P5 as the Aussie finished ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) who bagged P6. The Spaniard cannot be discounted at the Silverstone Circuit where he took Aprilia's first podium in the modern MotoGP™ era just two years ago.
🤯 @jackmilleraus, you are rather good on a motorcycle 🔥#BritishGP 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/tjsIviEVzG
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 4, 2023
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) has a point to prove this weekend as he looks to earn himself a seat in MotoGP™ for 2024. The Italian starts his weekend as top Yamaha in P7, sandwiched in between the Aprilias with Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) taking P8 and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) in P9.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) rounded out the top 10, with Francesco Bagnaia struggling for pace in P14. A frustrated "Pecco" leaves FP1 with work to do as his Championship rivals are looking in fine form at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered a crash after the chequered flag and also finds himself out of the top 10 in P12. The Ducati factory team have some work on their hands as the second half of their title defence gets underway!
Practice 2 for MotoGP™ commences at 15:00 local time (GMT +0) so make sure not to miss any of the action on motogp.com!
Top 10:
1. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – 2:00.295
2. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) +0.036
3. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.075
4. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.172
5. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.370
6. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) +0.382
7. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) +0.561
8. Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) +0.641
9. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) +0.803
10. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) +0.946
Follow the entire 2023 Season LIVE & VOD with VideoPass!