MotoGP’s return from its summer time break didn’t disappoint, as a dramatic weekend concluded with an exhilarating British Grand Prix.
The rider market saga kicked off proceedings at Silverstone, with information of Alex Rins changing Franco Morbidelli at Yamaha in 2024 opening up extra rumours about bike swaps.
On monitor, Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro put in a surprising cost from twelfth on the grid to steal victory within the grand prix from Francesco Bagnaia with a daring last-lap overtake. However woes for rivals allowed Bagnaia to maneuver 41 factors clear within the standings, strengthening his place because the rider to beat because the championship enters its second part.
The Japanese producers continued to battle, however there seemed to be some gentle on the finish of the tunnel for Marc Marquez at the very least.
Pol Espargaro made his race comeback for Tech3 after 4 months on the sidelines recovering from critical damage, placing in a heroic effort to only get by way of the weekend and are available away with some factors.
Elsewhere, race path choices drew the ire of riders, whereas the implementation of a brand new rule proved clunky.
Listed here are the ten issues we discovered from the 2023 MotoGP British GP.
1. Aleix places ambition apart to win at Silverstone
Aleix Espargaro recorded simply his second MotoGP win on the weekend
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Aleix Espargaro’s thrilling overtake (having virtually crashed earlier within the tour) on the within of Francesco Bagnaia on the Maggotts complicated on the ultimate lap of the British GP will go down as one of many highlights of the racing 12 months.
It was a courageous transfer to cap off a wonderful trip for the Aprilia runner, who got here from twelfth on the grid to register his second profession grand prix victory on the venue the place his Aprilia dream actually began to blossom two years in the past.
After the breakout of 2022, way more was anticipated of Aprilia and Espargaro this season. Previous to the summer time break, the marque had simply two grand prix podiums to its credit score, Espargaro getting his first at Assen after a monitor limits penalty for Brad Binder.
Espargaro admitted after the British GP that ambitions had been too excessive for 2023 after a powerful pre-season, and that led to him making extra errors.
“At the start of the season the expectation was too excessive, on myself and on the group,” he mentioned. “So, I made too many errors; I crashed in Argentina, I crashed in America, I misplaced loads of factors. I had good velocity, many Fridays, many classes within the dry I used to be near Pecco, main.
“But it surely doesn’t matter, you must be quick on Sunday. So, for one cause or one other, I used to be not in a position to actually match my velocity with the outcomes. And clearly, we don’t have the factors we deserve.”
Placing ambition to at least one aspect seems to have completed the trick, and maybe now Aprilia can actually kick into gear within the second half of the season. LD
2. Bagnaia rode like a champion, even when he doesn’t care about proving some extent
It may not have been a win, however Bagnaia made a large stride in direction of the 2023 MotoGP title at Silverstone
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Francesco Bagnaia’s Silverstone weekend was a blended affair, with a mystifying difficulty within the moist dash leaving him with out factors for the primary time this season on a Saturday down in 14th. However he and Ducati bounced again brilliantly on Sunday.
Main for a lot of the 20-lap race, an absence of traction within the closing levels meant he may do nothing to cease Espargaro from taking a hard-earned win away from him.
Nonetheless, a crash for Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin ending sixth has allowed Bagnaia to go 41 factors clear within the standings in a race the place a mistake was all too simple to make. That has been a sin of Bagnaia’s he’s slowly overcoming, even when he doesn’t really feel has something to show in conditions like this.
“I’m not pondering ever that I’ve to display to anybody our potential as a result of I do know completely what I can do, what our group can do, what Ducati can do,” he mentioned. “So, I’m simply making an attempt to work effectively, to organize completely for the race and don’t have any surprises within the races. That is one thing that has modified in comparison with final 12 months.” LD
3. Quartararo’s Yamaha embarrassment continues
Quartararo and Yamaha plunged to new lows at Silverstone
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Having taken his maiden world title in 2021 and preventing for wins final 12 months, of which he took three, Fabio Quartararo has clearly cemented himself as one of many MotoGP stars of right now.
However you’d suppose in any other case from his outcomes this 12 months, with Yamaha’s M1 proving a tough beast to tame.
The truth is, the Frenchman concedes that riders on the Japanese producers – Yamaha and Honda, who’re having an much more torrid time – are being embarrassed by their equipment.
Having completed twenty first within the 10-lap dash, Quartararo mentioned: “Effectively, after all. I imply, in the event you examine, now it’s extra the European bikes than the Japanese bikes, however there may be not one [Japanese manufacturer rider] on high and the others backside.
“All of us are down, so for positive we’re doing one thing improper. However particularly from my aspect beginning that far down, we must do one thing completely completely different tomorrow.
“We have now nothing to lose and my precedence now’s to attempt to enhance, to be extra in entrance and make a step ahead within the coming races, the place usually within the second half of the season is the place we drop down.”
His woes continued on Sunday, tangling with VR46 rider Luca Marini whereas operating seventh and dropping the entrance of his fairing. He went on to complete fifteenth of the 17 riders to cross the road, having began final, and regardless of glimmers of hope, he doesn’t consider he may have fought for a top-five place. MW
4. Pol’s comeback ache reveals his willpower
Pol Espargaro made his first MotoGP outing in virtually 5 months
Picture by: GasGas Manufacturing unit Racing
Participating in your first race weekend after a comeback from damage is all the time onerous, not to mention when these accidents are as extreme as these suffered by Pol Espargaro in a horrific FP2 crash on the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix.
Having sustained a number of again and jaw fractures after hitting an unprotected tyre barrier, it was a protracted street again to MotoGP for the Tech3 KTM rider, so it’s unsurprising that the weekend left him exhausted.
“I’m cooked. Effectively, after 10 laps I used to be cooked,” he mentioned after Sunday’s race. “After the primary 10 laps, I used to be utterly burned out. I feel the primary 10 laps I discover myself behind Augusto and I may observe him for the primary few laps, and I feel that was the issue.
“I requested of myself a little bit bit extra and my physique simply mentioned ‘sufficient, you’ve completed sufficient’. It utterly locked, the neck is totally locked, I couldn’t do extra.
“I used to be serious about retiring, however to begin with I needed to complete however then I noticed some guys pitting in when it began to rain in sector 4, in order that was a gift that they had been giving to me. So, I simply continued and took some factors.”
And take some factors he did, ending a really respectable twelfth to attain 4 factors on his return to the premier class. Having struggled each bodily and mentally in Saturday’s dash too, even having to take an hour nap between classes, it was an admirable comeback from such a decided rider.
Although his trip for 2024 could also be beneath risk (extra on that later), Espargaro’s sheer willpower is one thing to be recommended, particularly given he’s “far, very distant from the place I need to be” relating to health. MW
5. The actual Marc Marquez has been put away, at the very least for now
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Workforce
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Nobody was fairly positive what Marc Marquez would re-emerge from the five-week summer time break following his bruising, demoralising begin to the 2023 marketing campaign.
Whereas questions on his Honda future proceed, even when he mentioned at Silverstone that “my intention” is to stay for 2024, the ‘actual’ Marc Marquez has been put away for now whereas he figures issues out.
He took a brand new strategy for the British GP, shunning outcomes and driving purely on feeling: if he felt good, he’d push a bit, if not then he’d preserve it wise. It meant his dash end result was a lowly 18th however was on for a high 10 within the grand prix earlier than he collided with Enea Bastianini in an “unfortunate” late incident.
Beginning the Silverstone weekend with the bike he raced in Portugal, Marquez is but to discover a base set-up to construct on. Nonetheless, after the grand prix, there was a optimistic to take out of the spherical.
“I’m comfortable concerning the weekend as a result of the goal was to attempt to rebuild a bit the boldness and attempt to discover the bottom,” Marquez mentioned. “I rebuilt the boldness, however to seek out the bottom, we want extra races, extra race tracks, completely different conditions. However the weekend was strong, and steady, additionally I managed myself. The strategy of the weekend was very completely different. I neglect the occasions, neglect all the pieces.”
Now Honda should ship him with a 2024 prototype at September’s Misano check that may elevate that confidence stage. LD
6. “Sturdy soldier” Zarco may get true KTM redemption as Honda swap looms
Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Johann Zarco may get a full-time Honda shot in 2024 as hyperlinks to LCR to exchange Yamaha-bound Alex Rins emerged throughout the British GP.
The 33-year-old contested three races for LCR on the finish of a 2019 marketing campaign through which he was kicked out of KTM having introduced mid-season that he can be ending his two-year contract early – one thing he informed Motosprint a number of years in the past was “not solely my selection”.
Zarco may have been a manufacturing unit Honda rider at first of 2019 had his supervisor not inked that fateful take care of KTM, the place the Frenchman struggled to match his podium type from his Tech3 Yamaha days the 2 seasons prior – managing only one high 10 on the RC16.
On the face of it, shifting to Honda now threatens a lot the identical: Marc Marquez has scored 15 factors in 2023, Joan Mir simply 5, whereas it’s a motorbike that wore down Pol Espargaro to return to KTM for this 12 months and killed Jorge Lorenzo’s profession in 2019.
However Zarco believes the maturity he has gained since 2019 ought to stand him in higher stead for a Honda swap, resulting in a attainable true redemption for his KTM nightmare.
“I’d be proud to be this man as a result of I couldn’t make this work effectively in KTM,” he mentioned of serving to develop the Honda. “Possibly my suggestions was good for KTM, however the outcomes I used to be having I used to be not able to be on this place. So, I made the choice to return again to Ducati. However within the case of getting this selection, positive the maturity is just not the identical [as it was in 2019]. So, we should preserve the choices open.”
Zarco additionally harassed that his outcomes had been adequate to warrant remaining with Ducati and Pramac, even when that appears unlikely as Marco Bezzecchi will get set to take his trip. LD
7. KTM’s Acosta placement scenario removed from resolved
KTM might must shuffle its pack to make room for Acosta
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
KTM seems to be in fairly the bind for 2024. With rising prodigy Pedro Acosta confirmed to be graduating from Moto2, the place he’s at the moment second within the standings, the Austrian producer might want to discover a area for him.
Each manufacturing unit seats are occupied, by Brad Binder and Jack Miller, which leaves the 2 Tech3 GasGas-branded KTM seats, at the moment taken by 2022 Moto2 champion Augusto Fernandez and Pol Espargaro, who raced in his first full grand prix weekend of the 12 months at Silverstone.
Typical knowledge put Fernandez on the chopping board to make method for Acosta, given he didn’t have a two-year deal at hand. Nonetheless, he informed Autosport final Thursday that his deal for subsequent 12 months is already completed, including that he’s “actually comfortable” to be staying with the group.
So, with three riders for 2 seats, what is going to KTM’s resolution be, particularly given their bid to accumulate two extra grid slots has failed for now?
Effectively, it seems to be like Espargaro may very well be the large loser right here, nudged apart right into a check rider function in lieu of a greater possibility.
The Spaniard has accepted he may very well be moved apart and mentioned over the weekend that he’ll “not hesitate to maneuver aside if there was an improve, as a result of what I would like is to see the manufacturing unit shining.”
KTM’s musical chairs strategy to seats has lengthy since been unpredictable, however hopefully, extra readability will come subsequent day out on the Austrian Grand Prix, its house race. MW
8. Race path choices beneath hearth once more at Silverstone
Saturday’s British MotoGP motion was a moist and wild affair
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
It was a brand new weekend, however the age-old criticisms of MotoGP’s race path continued – this time amid moist climate circumstances which throughout FP3 and qualifying on Saturday morning.
Poleman Alex Marquez was left sad on the quantity of grass deposited on monitor from crashes in Q2 at a number of corners, with each second-place starter Marco Bezzecchi and Marquez happening, as did Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Luca Marini.
The Gresini Ducati rider mentioned the session ought to have been red-flagged to wash it up, including: “I noticed there have been many crashes, loads of grass going into the nook the place Marco crashed, additionally another corners.
“So, I don’t know if it was a world championship or a regional championship [we were riding in]. This isn’t acceptable. When it’s like this, there must be a crimson flag and they should clear the monitor.”
Reigning world champion Bagnaia concurred, and mentioned after the dash race: “Already from FP2 it was a crimson flag, I feel. In case of [practice] session, it’s alright to allow us to go.
“However the spray, and contemplating my crash, I used to be already in entrance [of the rest] – like Marco’s – but when that was a race, you’ll undergo three or 4 riders for positive. So, it was a bit on the restrict throughout the session, however was a crimson flag if the race was on this situation.”
Aleix Espargaro, too, was crucial, saying: “I am very, very offended. I don’t perceive what right now’s race management did in any respect.”
He added: “I talked with them after the qualifying. They mentioned to me ‘100%, if the circumstances are like this then the race received’t begin’. I mentioned ‘Okay, after which why did qualifying begin?’ It was inconceivable on the straights, there was aquaplaning in every single place, and we noticed many crashes.” MW
9. Mid-season regulation adjustments want extra thought
A MotoGP tyre rule change has been put in for security, however is it set to trigger extra danger?
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
There have been two regulation adjustments on the British Grand Prix. The Friday format had been tweaked in order that solely FP2 (now referred to as Apply, whereas the third apply of the weekend is FP2… yeah, we don’t know both) counted in direction of the qualifying teams.
The second has doubtlessly further-reaching penalties. From Silverstone, the brand new Tyre Strain Monitoring System was put into motion, which measures the entrance and rear pressures of all riders.
All riders should run to a entrance minimal stress of 1.9 bar for at the very least 50% of the grand prix and 30% of the dash, whereas the rear minimal is 1.7 bar. This has been a rule all 12 months however has not been formally regulated till now.
Riders have spent all 12 months elevating security considerations about one thing that was ostensibly meant to enhance security, with plenty of them stating at Silverstone the entrance tyre loses grip when it hits 2.0 bar and above.
Whereas the system is built-in, penalties will probably be issued on a sliding scale starting with a warning after which time penalties for every subsequent transgression.
Finally, as a result of the dash was moist and the grand prix was declared flag-to-flag, the rule didn’t apply.
Nonetheless, the system is but to be automated – as was the entire level – and the race director randomly selects riders to examine. None of this was truly absolutely defined till FP1 when Michelin motorsport boss Piero Taramasso was interviewed on the world feed.
Given the confusion surrounding its implementation and the very fact the system isn’t absolutely operational, it has made MotoGP look a bit foolish. Maybe it’s time to bench it once more till it has been absolutely developed for the 2024 marketing campaign. LD
10. Britain’s MotoGP hopes boosted as Dixon shuns WSBK transfer
Jake Dixon, Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Manufacturing unit Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
It wasn’t a homecoming that went to plan for Jake Dixon, however Britain’s latest grand prix winner has at the very least given followers hope of cheering on a compatriot on the MotoGP grid within the subsequent few years.
Whereas Dixon had been linked to a MotoGP transfer in 2024 previous to the summer time break, choices are scarce and seem earmarked for others: Yamaha has already secured Alex Rins, Gresini has its eye on Tony Arbolino, VR46 is prone to welcome Franco Morbidelli, Pramac is ready signal Marco Bezzecchi and LCR may both take Iker Lecuona or Johann Zarco as Takaaki Nakagami has a powerful declare to maintain his seat.
Dixon informed Autosport at Silverstone that he’d had World Superbike curiosity, however the former British Superbike star has no real interest in entertaining that.
Ought to he proceed his strengthening Moto2 type for the remainder of this season and thru subsequent, an area will open up for the Briton – not least with MotoGP eager to seek out methods to interact a dwindling UK viewers.
“On the finish of the day, my dream is to go to MotoGP and be there,” Dixon mentioned. “However, it must be proper and I have to be given the chance. If I get given one alternative to go, I’ll present what I can do. But when I’m to not go there…. I had curiosity in World Superbikes, nevertheless it’s not a factor [for me].
“I’ve completed all of the onerous work right here, to change championships is not sensible. So, if I’m to remain in Moto2 for an additional 12 months, so be it. It’s not that I don’t need to do this, however my dream is to be in MotoGP. If I keep in Moto2, I really feel my loyalty is to this group. I owe it to them as a result of they gave me the chance not as soon as however twice. That’s huge. If the MotoGP factor doesn’t come off, then we have to goal to be not simply one-time world champion however twice in Moto2.” LD
MotoGP heads on to Austria subsequent in two weeks’ time
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs