Movistar Yamaha MotoGP head to the United Kingdom this week for the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire on Sunday. The team arrive in confident mood after two consecutive race weekends that have seen riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo stand side by side on the podium together.
Silverstone is another circuit with the potential to deliver strong results for Rossi and Lorenzo with fast sweeping corners well suited to the YZR-M1.
Rossi has long been a favourite of the British fans and is guaranteed a loud reception at the weekend. The Italian nine-time world champion has yet to win at Silverstone but has a great history in the UK, taking three premier class MotoGP wins in the modern era in 2002, 2004 and 2005 at Donington Park and two 500cc victories in 2000 and 2001. He also has one 250cc victory in 1999 and one 125cc victory in 1997.
Teammate Lorenzo has the most wins of any rider in the premier class at Silverstone, taking three of the four victories since the British Grand Prix moved there from Donington Park in 2010. 2011 is the only year he hasn’t stood on the top step so far. Lorenzo is also popular with the British crowd who remembers him taking victory at Donington in 2006 in the 250cc class.
Valentino Rossi
“I really want to go to Silverstone because this is not an easy track for me. Last year, in the race, in the end I did not go bad but I think that this year I can get better. Silverstone is a great track, very fast, beautiful and for me it would be very important to be able to get a good result, especially after the last few races. We are working well, we are making small steps forward and we are getting closer to our goal. I feel good and that’s why I have to be more competitive this year at Silverstone”.
Jorge Lorenzo
“After three consecutive podiums I feel good. Last weekend in Brno we found some good solutions that surely will give us at least a tenth in the next races. I feel quite good and we are going up throughout the championship. We must congratulate the team for their work in the last races and especially during the last one at Brno. We’re happy and confident for the next race. Silverstone is quite different to Brno. It’s a long varied circuit with fast corners and strong braking points and last year we got the win there. It looks good but we need to be careful and work hard during the whole weekend and then wait also for the weather, which is always tricky there.”
Massimo Meregalli – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“Silverstone is always a race we enjoy coming to. The reception from the British fans is fantastic. I am confident we can get our first win especially after the results of the last two rounds. The track is very well suited to the M1 and we have won three of the last four GP races there, therefore our confidence is pretty high. We look forward to a great show in the UK.”
Tech3 duo to take on battle in Britain at speedy Silverstone
Monster Yamaha Tech3 riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith will contest in the 12th round of the 2014 MotoGP World Championship at the world famous Silverstone circuit this weekend, as they aim to fly high and clinch leading satellite team honours.
The historic 5900 metre Silverstone circuit was built in 1948 on the grounds of a former airfield and has become a staple fixture for motorsport events. A revamp in 2010 where the track was altered, led to the circuit been praised for being one of the fastest tracks on the calendar coupled with expert facilities. It’s eight left corners and ten right turns, as well as the 770 metre hangar straight all link together and will test the riders to their limits in the 20 lap British MotoGP round on Sunday.
Rookie Pol Espargaro will forcefully continue his impressive debut season assault in the premier class at 13:00 UK time on Sunday. Currently, the reigning Moto2 World Champion’s notable form has seen him produce some fantastically executed results and he will once again be aiming to close in on the factory riders and rocket to an inspiring finish. Meanwhile, local hero Bradley Smith will relish the forthcoming event where he intends to produce a superb display on home turf in front of his fans. Having qualified as the leading Yamaha at the previous round and then concluding a positive test after the race, Smith optimistically looks forward to the event with his sights firmly set on breaking the top five riders.
Pol Espargaro
“I cant wait to get going at Silverstone this week as the circuit is great fun to ride. It was a disappointing end to the last race in Brno, but I have moved on and here I will grit my teeth as I remain determined in closing in on the factory bikes. There are some great memories for me from this racetrack, with my favourite being winning the Moto2 race two years ago from pole position. There could be a bit of rain during this weekend, but now I have some experience under my belt with wet weather conditions so I will be ready for anything. We worked a lot on my riding style at the Brno test and I have learnt a lot more, with the key being to remain smooth especially at a circuit like Silverstone. I am looking forward to riding the YZR-M1 around the quick track and then seeing what we can do on Sunday.”
Bradley Smith
“It goes without saying that I am very much looking forward to this weekend which is a big event for me and I am proud to be able to ride at this great circuit, in front of the passionate British crowd. The home race is always a special occasion for any rider and at a racetrack as historical and fast as Silverstone, Sunday will be one to remember as always. I’ve had some great results here in the past such as the 2nd position in 2011 for the Tech3 Racing Moto2 Team and with the Yamaha winning here last year I am confident of fighting to get a great finish to make the crowd cheer. We had a really good post GP test in Brno and found some useful information which will certainly aid us in the race. So, I am fired up and ready to do my best in front of my family, friends, sponsors and the fans!”
NGM Forward Racing Team ready for British GP
The NGM Forward Racing Team head to the UK at Silverstone racetrack, that with more than 60 years of history, has become one of the most prestigious venues dedicated to motorsport. Extensively modified in 2011, the British Grand Prix returned to Silverstone in 2010 having been run at Donington Park since 1987.
After the positive test day at Brno, Aleix Espargaro and Alex De Angelis are confident for the British round. Aleix is determined to make the most from his Forward Yamaha and fight with the front group. Aleix arrives in Silverstone fresh from wedding, celebrated with his girlfriend Laura. All the NGM Forward Racing Team members wish the couple all the best.
After his return in MotoGP in Brno, Alex looks forward to improve his confidence with the new bike and consequently his result.
Silverstone will see the attendance also of Colin Edwards, who cannot miss this important appointment with the British fans that have hugely supported the Texan legend since he was racing in Superbike, winning two world titles, before moving to MotoGP. Edwards will be busy with many promotional events.
Aleix Espargaro
“Silverstone is a demanding track for us as it is fast and flowing. We know that we can suffer and it will be important to work on the best set up from the first test session. I will give my best to get the best possible result. We are 6th in the championship and we aim at consolidating and improving this position”.
Alex De Angelis
“The test in Brno was very productive to gain more confidence with the bike. At Brno I started from zero, while at Silverstone we will start working on the bike set up since the first session on Friday. Our target is to reduce the gap from the front guys and I look forward to next race”.
2014 MotoGP United Kingdom
Silverstone 27/08/2014
Circuit Length:
5900
Lap Record:
2’01.941
(Daniel Pedrosa, 1-1-2013)
Fastest Lap Ever:
2’00.691
(Marc Marquez, 1-9-2013)
Last Years Winner:
Jorge Lorenzo
