The MotoGP World Championship arrives at the Silverstone Circuit this weekend (23rd -25th of August) for the British MotoGP 2019, twelfth appointment in the season’s calendar. 

The British race is the most traditional one of the championship, being as it is the cradle of motorcycling racing. The expert British fans have passed on their passion for the sport down the generations, and their enthusiasm can be felt at the circuit.

Soaked with that unique atmosphere, pilots will come face to face with the winding Northamptonshire circuit. Its 18 close and fast bends, demand a lot of courage and precision. A new and exciting battle awaits this weekend at the old World War II airport, a setting not apt for the easily intimidated.

Marc Marquez arrives in British MotoGP 2019 with his pride wounded. Still fresh in his mind is the painful defeat of two weeks ago in Austria, where Andrea Dovizioso robbed him of glory on the last bend. The Spaniard will want to make up for it with a fresh display of strength. 

It will not be easy. Marquez has only won in the land of afternoon tea on one occasion in MotoGP (2014) and another one in 125cc (2010). A poor record for someone used to being the best wherever he goes.

The Ducati #4, on the other hand, ecstatic after his second triumph of the year against his greatest rival, will give it all to uncork the champagne once again. He was also the latest MotoGP winner at Silverstone in 2017, as the 2018 edition was cancelled because of the rain and the appalling state of the tarmac. 

Another podium candidate at the British MotoGP will be Fabio Quartararo. After his third podium of the year in Austria, the French rookie has demonstrated he is on top form.

Quartararo is reaping some excellent results on board his Yamaha satellite. So much so, that he has positioned himself right behind the pilots from the official team in the standings.

As for Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales, fourth and fifth respectively in Spielberg, both have reasons to be optimistic about their chances.  The #46 himself has acknowledged the “The Yamahas tend to do well in Silverstone”.

The English track brings up very good memories for Viñales.  It was there that the Spaniard sealed his first MotoGP success in 2016. One year after that he finished second at just one-tenth of a second from the winner. With this history, he knows he could be the fastest onboard his M1, and he will put up a good fight.

Likewise, his teammate Valentino Rossi won in England in 2015 and will make sure he positions himself somewhere within the leading squad right from the beginning.

Alex Rins, currently fourth in the standings behind Márquez and the two factory Ducaties, will be looking to add on a handful of points and get a bit closer to the Italians.

His partner Joan Mir will miss the race for the second consecutive time after the Czech Republic. The heroic Spaniard is still convalescing from his injuries after a fall during the post-race tests in Brno.

One of the highlights of the British Grand Prix of MotoGP will be the return of Jorge Lorenzo. After a four-race absence and a total of 57 days off, he is now fully recovered from the serious fall he suffered in the Netherlands, where he fractured two vertebrae. Having won the 2010, 2012 and 2013 editions in Silverstone, this could be a good re-starting point for Lorenzo.

Another protagonist this weekend will be Johann Zarco. This is the first race for the French pilot after the announcement of his departure from KTM at the end of the season.

The poor results achieved with the Austrian team have motivated the surprising decision, despite having another year left on his contract. The Moto2 2015 and 2016 champion is thus giving up a 1,5-million-euro salary and a place in the MotoGP grid for next year.