Fabio Quartararo Lights Up Silverstone with Hat-Trick Pole and Lap Record
Fabio Quartararo delivered a stunning performance at Silverstone to clinch his third consecutive MotoGP pole position, setting a new all-time lap record in the process. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider clocked a blistering 1:57.233, placing him a commanding 0.309 seconds ahead of Alex Marquez, who joins him on the front row alongside Francesco Bagnaia.
It’s the first time since 2021 that Quartararo has secured three poles in a row, signaling a powerful resurgence for the Frenchman nicknamed “El Diablo”.
Q1: Drama and Surprises as Morbidelli and Marini Advance
The first qualifying session at Silverstone saw plenty of action as Raul Fernandez and Pedro Acosta set early benchmarks. Acosta, rebounding from a crash in FP2, initially led with a 1:58.566, but the session took a twist as yellow flags and technical issues disrupted several flying laps.
Maverick Viñales suffered a mechanical issue at the Vale chicane, and Somkiat Chantra crashed at Turn 2. In the closing minutes, Luca Marini and Franco Morbidelli capitalized to secure the top two Q1 spots, edging out Joan Mir by just 0.023 seconds.
Q2: The Flying Frenchman Strikes Again
With the stakes higher in Q2, the top contenders wasted no time. Marc Marquez initially looked threatening, leading with a 1:57.914, while Bagnaia and Quartararo slotted in closely behind. But the real fireworks came in the final minutes.
Alex Marquez leapt into provisional pole with a lap nearly three-tenths faster than Bagnaia, but Quartararo had one final flying lap in him. With an inch-perfect ride through Maggotts and Becketts, the Frenchman unleashed a record-setting lap that secured his third straight pole and left the field in awe.
Marquez was unable to respond, running wide in a last-ditch effort to retake the top spot.
Full Grid Highlights: Title Contenders Stack Up
- Alex Marquez lines up second, his best qualifying performance of the season.
- Francesco Bagnaia completes the front row in third, keeping his championship hopes firmly in sight.
- Marc Marquez, current title leader, will start from fourth, leading Row 2.
- Rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer continues to impress in P5, just ahead of Jack Miller in sixth.
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco form the third row, with Zarco walking away unhurt from a late crash at Turn 6.
- Franco Morbidelli, despite qualifying 10th, will face a three-place grid penalty, promoting Marco Bezzecchi and Alex Rins into better starting positions.
MotoGP 2025 British GP (Silverstone) Qualifying Results:
- Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) : 1’57.233s
- Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati) : +0.309s
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) : +0.589s
- Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) : +0.681s
- Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Ducati) : +0.840s
- Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) : +0.872s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) : +0.893s
- Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) : +0.902s
- Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) : +0.907s
- Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) : +0.992s
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) : +1.110s
- Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha) : +1.224s
- Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) : 1’58.322s
- Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) : 1’58.536s
- Miguel Oliveira (Pramac Yamaha) : 1’58.539s
- Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) : 1’58.734s
- Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) : 1’59.158s
- Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) : 1’59.159s
- Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) : 1’59.288s
- Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Factory) : 1’59.450s
- Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Castrol) : 1’59.632s
- Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR) : 2’1.030s
Eyes on the Sprint: Can Quartararo Convert Pole into Victory?
The Silverstone weekend continues with the Tissot Sprint, set to begin at 16:00 local time (UTC+1). With championship heavyweights Marc Marquez, Bagnaia, and Quartararo all starting near the front, fans are in for an intense battle.
Can Quartararo translate qualifying pace into race dominance? Or will the likes of Marquez or Bagnaia strike back in sprint race conditions?
Stay tuned for all the action as MotoGP’s finest do battle at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.
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