Vinales leads Rossi for Yamaha resurgence in Silverstone FP1
Full MotoGP FP1 results from Silverstone
Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi have produced a perfect response from a difficult Austria round last time out by handing Movistar Yamaha a 1-2 in the opening free practice session at Silverstone.
Full MotoGP FP1 results from Silverstone
Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi have produced a perfect response from a difficult Austria round last time out by handing Movistar Yamaha a 1-2 in the opening free practice session at Silverstone.
In dry but chilly conditions at the British circuit, Vinales led for the majority of FP1 during the long runs but as the focus turned to the one-lap fast times using the soft tyres both Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso briefly took turns at the top.
But Vinales duly responded using the soft rears with a 2m 02.073s to top the times with Rossi also jumping up to second place late on within two-tenths off his factory Yamaha team-mate.
After the ‘crisis’ which followed at the Red Bull Ring, with senior Yamaha personnel publicly apologising to the riders, the practice lap times will give a timely boost to the factory team at a circuit which the Japanese manufacturer has favoured in recent seasons.
Ducati’s Dovizioso, winner at Silverstone 12 months ago, grabbed third place in the final few minutes with LCR Honda’s Crutchlow starting strongly at his home round with fourth place.
Jack Miller produced a strong FP1 for Pramac Ducati with fifth place ahead of Austria winner Jorge Lorenzo and Avintia Ducati’s Tito Rabat.
Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone grabbed eighth place with Johann Zarco (Tech 3) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) rounding out the top 10.
Marquez had his FP1 briefly hampered by an off at Brooklands, almost producing a trademark save on his knee, but with minimal damage sustained in the crash he continued back to the pits.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro also had his FP1 truncated with a mechanical issue midway through but returned to action to jump up to 13th with Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Ducati) and Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM) ahead just missing out on the top ten.
Loris Baz wasted no time familiarising himself with the Red Bull KTM as he becomes a late fill-in for the injured Pol Espargaro. The French rider notched up 17 laps with his fastest time half a second off nearest rival Xavier Simeon.
