Martin pips Espargaro as Marc Marquez just holds on to a place in Q2

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Ducati and Aprilia are split by 0.045s on Day 1 at Silverstone as the main title contenders all slot inside the top 10

Monster Energy British Grand Prix: Friday Highlights

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) set the early pace at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix with a late flyer, clocking a 1:57.911. This edged him ahead of 2023 Silverstone victor Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) by just 0.045s. World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) secured P3, trailing Martin by 0.119s.

It wasn’t an ideal start for Ducatis Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), both of whom encountered issues with their bikes.

Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) initially led the session, but the action intensified in the final 15 minutes. Espargaro briefly took the top spot before Martin, known for his time attack prowess, claimed Friday’s honors with a late lap.

Bagnaia also improved towards the session’s end, while Bastianini, despite early mechanical troubles, posted his best time on his last lap, finishing P4. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ended Free Practice 1 in P4 and secured P5 in the afternoon, demonstrating his skill. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) led the GP23 charge in P6.

Miller’s teammate Brad Binder ensured both factory KTMs will be in the Q2 contention on Saturday morning. Viñales slipped down but maintained P8, setting the stage for more action from the former Silverstone winner.

Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) rounded out the top 10. Marquez, despite a crash in FP1, was just 0.057s away from Q1.