The opening day of practice for the 2025 British MotoGP at Silverstone saw a competitive but chilly start, with the weather switching from a cold Thursday to a more summery atmosphere on Friday. Marc Marquez, the championship leader, encountered difficulties similar to those he faced in Qatar but remains determined to overcome a Silverstone win drought dating back to 2014.
Throughout the day, the MotoGP field displayed tight competition, with Marc’s younger brother Alex Marquez setting a new lap record in practice, while Marc himself faced technical issues and a minor crash. Despite these setbacks, Marc’s confidence in his race pace and tyre form keeps him a strong contender as the weekend progresses.
Early Practice Sessions Hint at a Challenging Weekend for Marc Marquez
Friday’s conditions initially posed challenges, including sensor problems that prevented Marc Marquez from completing a crucial practice start in the morning session. Later in the day, a small tip-over interrupted his momentum, though it didn’t seriously undermine his confidence. The day ended with Marc placed fourth overall, trailing his brother Alex, who led the timesheets with a new lap record of 1m57.295 seconds.
The track itself, with a layout that does not play to Marc’s strengths—particularly on right-hand corners—resembles the difficulties he experienced at Qatar’s Lusail circuit. This similarity has allowed Alex Marquez to shine, especially through the Woodcote right-hander, where he displayed exceptional speed.
Nevertheless, Marc’s past success at circuits with comparable profiles offers reassurance. He notably secured pole position, the sprint, and the grand prix victory at Qatar earlier this season, showing his ability to adapt and succeed even when conditions are not ideal.
Marc Marquez’s Confidence in Race Pace Based on Used Tyre Performance
Looking ahead, unpredictable weather forecasts could change the competitive dynamics on Saturday and Sunday. If conditions remain dry, Marc Marquez’s strong form on used tyres from Friday’s long runs could be a decisive advantage. Over 11 laps with a medium rear tyre—last year’s grand prix option—Marc averaged 1m58.903 seconds over a representative three-lap stint, closely matched by VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Marc revealed his ongoing struggles with right-hand corners, which have restricted his full potential at Silverstone, but expressed optimism about incremental improvements.
“Today here I’m struggling,’ he said of right-hand corners. “I’m struggling more than in Qatar. We are trying to understand why… we understand why but are trying to understand how to fix. I will work on my riding style, the mechanics will also work to help me. But I’m losing less than in the past, so for this reason I am losing less to the front guys.” —Marc Marquez, Championship Leader
Rival Fabio Quartararo, who has denied Marc pole position in the previous two grand prix rounds, highlighted Yamaha’s corner speed on new tyres as a key factor in his qualifying performances but admitted he still needs to improve race pace.
“I think so,” Quartararo said when asked about his edge on used tyres versus new ones in qualifying, “especially because Yamahas have a lot of corner speed and they can take a lot of profit of the new tyres.” —Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Rider
Although Alex Marquez poses an evident threat, his older brother believes further setup progress is required before Alex can apply consistent pressure during the race weekend. Alex’s prior success in the wet sprint at Silverstone last year remains a relevant factor in the unfolding battle.
Pecco Bagnaia Finds Setup Improvement Amidst Difficult Practice Day
Pecco Bagnaia’s Friday was marked by near misses, as he flirted with the prospect of falling into Q1 qualifying. However, a late strong lap elevated him to seventh overall, 0.408 seconds behind the top position held by Alex Marquez. This progress was attributed to a mechanical adjustment enhancing his front-end confidence, a crucial factor on Silverstone’s demanding circuit.
Bagnaia noted the challenge of adapting to a riding style that differs significantly from his accustomed approach, one that Ducati teammate Marc Marquez has not had to modify.
“It’s strange because I cannot feel the front. We need to enter the corner fast but we cannot do the same as last year with the brake,” he explained. “We need to release it much before. It is completely different to my riding style. I always enter with more lean angle and brake. Now, I cannot. It’s not what has happened to Marc.” —Pecco Bagnaia, Ducati Rider
Though Bagnaia’s race pace on medium tyres remained inconsistent, with an average around 1m59.466 seconds based on limited representative laps, this development offers a cautiously optimistic outlook. His ability to adapt and find a stable setup will be critical as the weekend advances.
Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi Shines Despite Team Challenges
The Aprilia team arrived at Silverstone under a cloud of rumors concerning a potential split with rider Jorge Martin, which the team has officially denied. Regardless of any behind-the-scenes issues, Aprilia has found solace in Silverstone’s history as a favorable venue, having achieved notable podiums and wins over recent years.
Marco Bezzecchi stood out on Friday by finishing fifth, showing promising race pace on a soft rear tyre that could give him an edge in the 10-lap sprint race. Bezzecchi acknowledged ongoing stability issues with the RS-GP bike under hard braking but remains confident in his relationship with Aprilia and his prospects for the weekend.
“At the end I don’t focus on any bullshit that is not regarding me,” Bezzecchi said when asked if the Martin situation has been a distraction for the team. “Fortunately, at the end I feel the same like yesterday or like one month ago or two months ago. So, for me, of course it’s positive to have a good day, but my relationship with Aprilia is fantastic and I’m very proud to ride for them, and I’m very happy to have their support on my shoulders. For me, [nothing] changed – it’s always the same.” —Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Rider
However, Aprilia’s day was marred by Ai Ogura’s heavy crash during the first practice session, forcing the rookie to withdraw due to a badly banged knee. His participation in the remainder of the weekend remains uncertain, adding another layer of concern for the team.
Implications of Friday’s Practice and What Lies Ahead for Silverstone
Friday’s sessions at Silverstone reveal a tense and tightly contested weekend unfolding at the British Grand Prix. For Marc Marquez, this event echoes some of the toughest moments of his season, particularly with the left-hander weakness shared with Qatar, yet historical evidence suggests he can still rise to the occasion.
Marc’s resilience, combined with his confidence in his pace on used tyres, positions him as a strong candidate to break his Silverstone drought. Meanwhile, challenges faced by peers like Bagnaia and Aprilia’s internal struggles add uncertainty to the grid’s dynamics.
The weather remains a wildcard that could disrupt current trends and shake up the competitive landscape, making adaptability an essential ingredient for success. As the weekend progresses, each rider’s response to evolving track conditions, bike setups, and physical demands will determine who can seize the moment at Silverstone.
