Bezzecchi shatters Silverstone track record in MotoGP pre-qualifying despite injury return

Record lap on return

Marco Bezzecchi set a 1'56"280 in pre-qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a new track record that lowered Fabio Quartararo's 2025 pole time of 1'57"233 by nearly a full second. The Aprilia rider returned to competition after missing the Sachsenring GP due to a displaced clavicle fracture sustained at Assen, with surgery on 12 July. The British GP is the 12th round of the 2026 MotoGP season and the first event after nearly a month of summer break.

Raul Fernandez (Aprilia Trackhouse) was second, 0.335 seconds behind, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati VR46) at 0.398. Championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia) placed fourth at 0.500, with Ai Ogura (Aprilia Trackhouse) fifth at 0.530. Marc Marquez (Ducati) was sixth at 0.733, Alex Marquez (Ducati Gresini) seventh at 0.750, Joan Mir (Honda) eighth at 0.831, Jack Miller (Yamaha Pramac) ninth at 1.042, and Pedro Acosta (KTM) tenth at 1.083.

Physical toll and emotion

Bezzecchi arrived at Silverstone in significant pain, with shoulder and knee problems complicating his return. After setting the record, he was visibly emotional in the Aprilia box, fighting back tears. He told journalists that he suffers to complete even a single lap and is uncertain about finishing both the Sprint Race and the main race.

I'm in pain. Fundamentally in pain. I suffer to do a lap. For the time attack I grit my teeth, but when it comes to doing more laps I suffer a lot both in the shoulder and the knee. We expected it, because they were two strange injuries, but this is how it is, I'm worried about Saturday and Sunday.

He confirmed he will use painkillers throughout the weekend.

We'll have to do everything we can to contain the pain, the pain in the shoulder and knee. I'll definitely use painkillers during the weekend. If I thought too much about the risk I'd stay home. Anyway, I'm already half broken.

Bagnaia crashes, faces Q1

Francesco Bagnaia finished 13th in pre-qualifying, 1.325 seconds off Bezzecchi's pace, after crashing at the end of the session. The Ducati rider will have to go through Q1 in Saturday's qualifying. Bagnaia is recovering from surgery on his right forearm for compartment syndrome and carpal tunnel, and will also race with painkillers.

Complicated track if you're fine, let alone if you're not. I don't want to complain, I grit my teeth and go. Saturday will be better with painkillers, we need to find a solution.

Bagnaia explained that the forearm operation typically heals in four or five days, but swelling in his hand and pain are limiting him significantly.

This is an operation that in four or five days you're fine, while the swelling I have in my hand and the pain are limiting me a lot. I repeat, I just have to grit my teeth.

Earlier session and weekend schedule

In the first free practice session, Alex Marquez topped the timesheets with a 1:58.692, ahead of Bezzecchi on his return and Acosta in third despite a crash. The times improved substantially by pre-qualifying, with Bezzecchi's record lap nearly two seconds faster than Marquez's morning benchmark.

Saturday's schedule includes qualifying at 12:50 and the Sprint Race at 17:00.