MotoGP, FP1: Alex Marquez ahead of Marco Bezzecchi – Pedro Acosta (3rd) crashed

At Silverstone, too, the injured LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco will be replaced by Cal Crutchlow. The 40-year-old Briton will therefore have the opportunity this weekend to compete in the MotoGP races in front of his home fans. Two other regular riders are missing in England: Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati) and Maverick Viñales (KTM Tech3). Superbike ace Iker Lecuona is once again stepping in for Aldeguer. The Spaniard has already made a MotoGP appearance in Hungary. KTM test rider Pol Espargaro will take the reins of the RC16 in place of ‘Top Gun’. And: Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernández will line up at Silverstone on a wildcard.

Following the collarbone fracture he sustained in a crash at the Sachsenring, Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi is back at Silverstone. His mate Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) had to undergo surgery on his right forearm during the summer break to treat ‘arm pump’. In the first free practice session in England, the Italian’s aim was to assess his fitness.

The 45-minute FP1 session took place at the Silverstone Circuit on Friday afternoon. The skies above the British circuit were clear, with an air temperature of a cool 19 degrees Celsius.

The riders took to the track punctually at 11.45 am local time. Bezzecchi set the first fastest time with 2:01.600 mins. By way of comparison, Yamaha ace Fabio Quartararo had set the lap record in 2025 with 1:57.233 mins.

One lap later, Trackhouse star Raul Fernandez took the lead with a time of 1:59.867. Shortly afterwards, Pedro Acosta clocked exactly the same time. Then Alex Marquez (Gresini) set a new fastest time of 1:59.436.

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MotoGP World Championship

08.08.2026 - 10:35

The top five after ten minutes: Alex Márquez, Raúl Fernández, Acosta, Mir and Marc Márquez.

Shortly afterwards, championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia) took the lead with a time of 1:59.372 min. After 13 minutes, Raul Fernandez (1:59.021 min) reclaimed the lead. The Spaniard will also be riding for Trackhouse for the next two years – official confirmation came this week.

After 15 minutes, AM73 set the first time under 1:59 with a lap of 1:58.692. The order at that point was: Alex Márquez, Raúl Fernández, Martín, Bezzecchi and Marc Márquez. Pecco Bagnaia was in sixth place.

At the halfway point of the 45-minute session, the order at the top remained unchanged.

With 20 minutes to go, Pedro Acosta sent his KTM into the gravel trap at Turn 15. The Spaniard immediately sprinted back to his pit. MM93 moved up to fourth place.

With 15 minutes to go, ‘Bez’ set the second-fastest time. The Italian appears to be back in good physical shape following his collarbone fracture. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46) surged forward to fourth place.

The top five with ten minutes to go: Alex Márquez, Bezzecchi, Raúl Fernández, Di Giannantonio and Marc Márquez.

There was plenty of action on the track in the final minutes. Acosta was also back on the Silverstone Circuit following his crash.

With two minutes to go, Acosta moved up to third place.