ALEX MARQUEZ LEADS THE WAY IN SILVERSTONE WARM-UP AS APRILIA AND DUCATI MIX DOMINATES

With the British Grand Prix weekend’s short Sprint having thrown up a few surprises—especially around how grip behaved for several of the front-runners—teams used the 10-minute warm-up to reassess their approach. Speedweek reports that the softer tyre compound, which many had expected to be advantageous over the brief distance, did not prove to be the clear solution. Instead, attention shifted toward the medium rear tyre for the race.

Conditions helped the process. The warm-up took place with stable weather: the sun was out, temperatures were described as pleasant, and rain was not expected.

For three riders who crashed during Saturday’s action, the session also served as a practical check of both machine and rider. Raul Fernandez, Cal Crutchlow and Iker Lecuona had all gone down independently. For Fernandez in particular, the warm-up was also about confirming the clutch after concerns during the Sprint start.

Marc Marquez, who had been among the biggest Sprint losers, completed the warm-up without problems on the Ducati Lenovo bike. In his final lap he recorded a 1:58.154 to take third. Francesco Bagnaia, who had dropped to 17 in the Sprint, responded with 11th in the warm-up.

At the front, Aprilia looked strong early. Raul Fernandez topped the timing with a 1:57.753. Cal Crutchlow was unable to improve further once he caught Fernandez, while Alex Marquez—running without traffic—set the pace in the final laps to finish first overall for the session with a 1:57.680. Speedweek notes that Alex Marquez had already been the best non-Aprilia in the Sprint, finishing fourth.

Behind the leading group came a mix of Ducati and Aprilia machinery: Marc Marquez, then Bezzechi, Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli and Ogura. Jorge Martin, the Sprint winner, was down to ninth after five timed laps. Enea Bastianini of KTM Tech3 also faced trouble on Sunday’s start, needing to retire his bike in the final lap.