A maiden Tissot Sprint winner, another Championship twist and a dash of drama: Saturday at Silverstone delivers some fireworks
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) secured an impressive Tissot Sprint victory at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, claiming his first Saturday podium by taking the top step. “Beast mode” was fully engaged as the #23 rider fended off Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with the #89 rider gaining crucial Championship points after points leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out, causing the reigning Champion to slide off the track.
Polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) completed the podium, closely trailing the top two and distancing himself from Bagnaia, while overtaking Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). Marquez also crashed out late, ceding third place in the Championship to Bastianini in a dramatic afternoon at Silverstone.
At the start, Bagnaia launched brilliantly, pushing Espargaro wide at Turn 1, which created immediate chaos at the front. Martin seized the opportunity to lead the Sprint on the opening lap.
Further back, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) crashed on the first lap after Morbidelli overshot Turn 1. Both were unharmed, but Morbidelli received a double Long Lap penalty for Sunday.
The drama continued as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) collided without major incident, although winglets flew. Marquez capitalized on the situation to pass both riders.
At the front, Martin led with Bastianini close behind, shadowed by Espargaro and Bagnaia. On Lap 5, Bagnaia lost control at Turn 4, ending his race. This allowed Bastianini to pressure Martin, and after one unsuccessful attempt, Bastianini took the lead on Lap 6, quickly creating a gap. A win for Bastianini meant a one-point lead for Bagnaia, while a win for Martin would put him back on top.
More drama unfolded when Marquez crashed at Turn 16, ending his chances for points and leaving the KTM-GASGAS riders to battle for fourth. Bastianini extended his lead to one second on the final lap, securing his first Sprint victory at Silverstone. Martin finished second, closing the gap in the Championship to just one point behind Bagnaia, with Bastianini now in third.
Binder and Acosta continued their fight until the finish, with Binder taking fourth. Alex Marquez finished sixth.
The battle for seventh and the final point-scoring positions saw Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finish just ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with Di Giannantonio taking the final point.
As attention shifts to Sunday for the British Grand Prix, Bagnaia and Marquez will seek redemption, and Martin is within striking distance of the Championship lead. The race promises intense action, starting at 13:00 local time (UTC +1).
Official MotoGP Press Release
Images Bomber County Media
