Two weeks after the Austrian double-header, the MotoGP World Championship is back this weekend with the British MotoGP 2021. The legendary Silverstone Circuit will host the twelfth round of the calendar after the coronavirus pandemic forced its absence last year.

Having consolidated his lead at the front of the standings with a 47-point advantage, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), will try and continue its ascent towards a crown which is increasingly close.

At the Styrian GP, he was able to come out unharmed despite the rain that fell during the final laps of the race.The Frenchman had a fair drive in the wet – not one of his strong points- and came out in a very respectable seventh place.

Quartararo, winner in Qatar 2, Portugal, Italy & Holland, is in an exceptional state of form and he could well shine in Silverstone, a track well suited to his M1. The Japanese machine has, in fact, been the most successful at the English track with victories in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

On this occasion, test driver Cal Crutchlow will team up with Quartararo at Yamaha after the tumultuous exit of Maverick Viñales. As it happens, the pilot from Coventry, was replacing injured Morbidelli at the Sepang Racing Team.

As a result of that move from the Iwata firm, Moto2 pilot, Jake Dixon will make his MotoGP debut this weekend. He will be taking the place of the convalescent Italo-Brazilian pilot in front of his compatriots.

After the chaotic Styrian race, Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) and Joan Mir (Suzuki) have become Quartararo’s greatest rivals.The Italian and the Spanish pilots are second and third in the standing respectively with 134 points each; 47 behind ‘El Diablo’. Both took advantage of Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco’s crash at the Red Bull Ring, to pass him in the standings.

The pilot from Cannes is now back down in fourth place with two points less than Mir and Bagnaia. His teammate, Jorge Martín, on the other hand, is going through a sensational time in his career. After a dazzling win in Styria and a third place in Austria, the Spaniards has demonstrated his quality and potential.

Bagnaia was left with a bittersweet taste in his mouth at the supposed Ducati’s stronghold of the Spielberg Circuit. Nonetheless, he demonstrated that the Desmosedici GP21 is versatile enough to shine in any circumstance.

Ducati was not able to dominate there at any of the last two races but, in any case, the Italian will continue chasing his first MotoGP win.

One thing is for sure, he has become the leader of the team from Borgo Panigale, relegating Jack Miller to second in command. The inconsistent performance of the Australian pilot has lost him the honour of heading his team’s project and relegated him to fifth place in the standings, 29 points behind his young Italian teammate.

As for third classified Joan Mir, he has taken a small step forward over the past few races. By making the best of his Suzuki’s strong points, especially its rear holeshot, he has made his way to the top of the table.

In any case, as the Spaniard himself has admitted, he needs to win some races if he wants to stand a chance to revalidate his title. At this point in the season, Mir is yet to climb to the top of the podium.

Images of British MotoGP 2021: Yamaha MotoGP.