MotoGP British GP: Marco Bezzecchi Smashes Silverstone Lap Record to Top Friday Practice

Silverstone, Great Britain, August 8, 2026: Marco Bezzecchi made a sensational return to the top at Silverstone, setting a new MotoGP lap record of 1:56.280 to lead Friday’s British Grand Prix practice. Raul Fernandez finished second, completing an Aprilia 1-2, while Fabio Di Giannantonio was third.

MotoGP made a spectacular return to Silverstone for the 2026 Qatar Airways British Grand Prix, with Marco Bezzecchi delivering the standout performance of Friday’s running. The Aprilia Racing rider produced a stunning late flying lap of 1:56.280 to establish a new outright lap record at the iconic British circuit.

Bezzecchi’s effort was almost half a second quicker than the previous lap record, while no fewer than eight riders went faster than the old benchmark during a frantic final phase of the session.

Raul Fernandez put in an equally impressive performance for the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team to finish second, just 0.335 seconds behind Bezzecchi, giving Aprilia a commanding 1-2 at the top of the timesheets. Fabio Di Giannantonio completed the top three for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.

Ogura leads the way before the late time attack

The opening half-hour of the session was relatively quiet, with riders gradually building their pace around Silverstone. Ai Ogura initially led a Trackhouse 1-2, with teammate Raul Fernandez sitting second.

Francesco Bagnaia was among those making steady progress, posting a series of personal-best sector times. With 20 minutes remaining, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider climbed from 15th to fourth, highlighting just how close the field was.

At that stage, the top 10 were separated by only 0.813 seconds, setting up an intense battle when the riders switched to their final time-attack runs.

The session was briefly interrupted by a crash for Brad Binder at Luffield. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider tucked the front while following teammate Pedro Acosta and slid off the track. Binder was unharmed but was forced to make a quick return to the pits with his Q2 position at risk.

MotoGP enters the 1:56s at Silverstone

The final 15 minutes produced a spectacular succession of improvements.

Pedro Acosta initially moved into second before taking the lead with a 1:57.535. Alex Marquez then went faster, while Fabio Di Giannantonio inserted himself between the leading riders.

As red sectors appeared across the timing screens, Marc Marquez delivered a new lap record of 1:57.035.

However, Ai Ogura immediately raised the bar by becoming the first rider to break into the 1:56s at Silverstone, producing a remarkable lap that appeared to have put him in control.

The record would not survive the final moments of the session.

Bezzecchi produces a stunning final lap

Marco Bezzecchi saved his best for last.

The Aprilia Racing rider stormed around Silverstone on his final flying lap to stop the clock at 1:56.280, smashing the existing lap record and taking the top spot by a substantial margin.

His performance put him 0.335 seconds clear of Raul Fernandez, while Fabio Di Giannantonio ended the session third.

Bezzecchi’s return to the sharp end of the MotoGP field could hardly have been more emphatic, with the Italian immediately demonstrating the pace of the Aprilia machine around one of the fastest circuits on the calendar.

Bagnaia and Acosta crash late

The closing stages weren’t without drama.

Both Francesco Bagnaia and Pedro Acosta crashed during the final flurry of flying laps. Fortunately, both riders were unharmed, although the incidents disrupted their attempts to improve their positions.

Acosta ultimately held onto 10th place, securing a position inside the provisional Q2 spots, while Bagnaia ended Friday down in 13th and will therefore have more work to do if he is to avoid Q1.

MotoGP British GP Friday results: Top 10

Marco Bezzecchi led Raul Fernandez by 0.335 seconds, with Fabio Di Giannantonio completing the top three.

Top 10:

1. Marco Bezzecchi – Aprilia Racing
2. Raul Fernandez – SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio – Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
4. Jorge Martin – Aprilia Racing
5. Ai Ogura – SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team
6. Marc Marquez – Ducati Lenovo Team
7. Alex Marquez – Gresini Racing MotoGP
8. Joan Mir – Honda HRC Castrol
9. Jack Miller – Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
10. Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Joan Mir was the final rider inside the top eight to beat the previous lap record, while Jack Miller led Yamaha’s challenge in ninth.

With Bezzecchi, Fernandez and the rest of the field demonstrating extraordinary pace, the stage is now set for an action-packed Saturday at Silverstone.

The MotoGP British Grand Prix Sprint is next, with the riders returning to the track for another crucial battle as the second half of the 2026 MotoGP season gets into full swing.