The MotoGP paddock continues its relentless pace this weekend as the paddock heads from Brno in the Czech Republic to Silverstone in the UK for the third consecutive race weekend, the British Grand Prix.
The fast and flowing Silverstone track will hopefully give the best possible opportunity for Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi to make the most from their YZR-M1 machines and fight for podium glory.
The British Grand Prix returned to Silverstone in 2010 having been run at Donington Park since 1987. In its three year return Lorenzo has taken two wins in the premier class, the first in 2010 and the second last year in 2012. The reigning world champion scored one 250cc win in Donington in 2006.
Rossi has yet to take a win at the Silverstone circuit but is a favourite with the British crowd having taken numerous wins at the Donington track including three premier class MotoGP wins in 2002, 2004 and 2005, two 500cc wins in 2000 and 2001, a 250cc win in 1999 and a 125cc win in 1997.
The 5.9km Silverstone circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire borders and was first used for impromptu car racing in 1947. It is most famous as the home of the British Formula One Grand Prix, which was first held there in 1948 and has been contested at the track every year since 1987. Silverstone is no stranger to bike racing, with the 500cc machines having raced there from 1977 to 1986. MotoGP returned in 2010 after extensive alterations to the track including re-modelled sections and faster, sweeping corners to tailor it to the current MotoGP machines. With plenty of overtaking opportunities it is sure to provide an exciting spectacle come race day.
Jorge Lorenzo
“In Brno maybe I expected a little bit more but at least I feel quite happy with my performance. I gave all to win the race but my competitors were in a better shape there. Now we have to finish this first triple of races at Silverstone. It is a place I like and where I used to be comfortable. The track I think is really nice, very flowing and also suits our bike. The problem in Great Britain is always the weather; it is a very challenging grand prix because of that! Despite the conditions we will try everything as usual to try to fight for the victory and cut off the distance to our rivals.”
Valentino Rossi
“In Brno I was hoping to go a little better and I’m glad that there is immediately the Grand Prix at Silverstone to get back on track. My team and I want to improve the bike to be able to keep the pace of the leaders. We are not far away and the Grand Prix at Silverstone will help us to understand something more. Silverstone is a very fast track and the Yamaha should be fine. We are ready to do our best. We want to move forward as soon as possible.”
Wilco Zeelenberg – Yamaha Factory Racing – Team Manager
“Silverstone is another track that is usually very popular. As a rider Jorge likes the track but also for the bike it is not a bad layout. Of course the weather conditions at Silverstone are always changing a lot and normally this is the key point of the weekend. Overall it is very good for us there so we’ll try to push all of these boys a little bit more. We never give up!”
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Factory Racing – Team Director
“We go to Silverstone knowing that we must do something more. The result of the Brno Grand Prix wasn’t negative, but we want to do better. In Silverstone we want our revenge. Silverstone is a very fast track and is suitable enough to the characteristics of our bike. In the past we have had good results there so we go to England with optimism.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Age 26
Lives Mallorca (Spain)
Bike Yamaha
GP victories 47 (26 x MotoGP, 17 x 250cc, 4 x 125cc)
First GP victory Brazil, 2003 (125cc)
First GP Jerez, Spain, 2002 (125cc)
GP starts 189 (95 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
Pole position 53 (27 x MotoGP, 23 x 250cc, 3 x 125cc)
World Championships 4 (MotoGP 2010/12, 250cc, 2006/7)
Valentino Rossi
Age 34
Lives Tavullia (Italy)
Bike Yamaha
GP victories 106 (80 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP victory Czec Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts 287 (227 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole position 59 (49 x MotoGP/500cc, 5 x 250cc, 5 x 125cc)
World Championships 9 (MotoGP 2009/08/05/04/03/02, 500cc 2001, 250cc 1999, 125cc 1997)
Circuit information
Technical Informations
Circuit Silverstone
Location Northamptonshire, UK
Length (m) 5902
Width (m) 17
Turns 18
Turns righ 10
Turns left 8
Pole position left
2013 MotoGP United Kingdom
Silverstone 28/08/2013
Circuit Length:
5900
Lap Record:
2’02.888
(Jorge Lorenzo, 1-1-2012)
Fastest Lap Ever:
2’02.020
(Casey Stoner, 1-1-2011)
Last Years Winner:
Jorge Lorenzo
