Watch British MotoGP — Practice 2 Free.

What's at Stake

The Friday afternoon Practice 2 session at Silverstone is one of the most critical hours of the British MotoGP weekend, as it directly determines which ten riders secure automatic entry into Saturday's Q2 qualifying shootout. Failing to land a top-ten spot forces riders into the unpredictable Q1 session, severely compromising their starting grid prospects for both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix. On a fast, sprawling circuit like Silverstone, securing a clean lap in this session is vital for championship contenders looking to avoid traffic and minimize risks early in the weekend.

Form Guide

Heading into the British Grand Prix, the battle at the front of the grid remains highly competitive, with Ducati's leading contenders consistently setting the benchmark for raw pace. Historically, Silverstone's high-speed changes of direction and sweeping curves have favored bikes with excellent stability and aerodynamic efficiency, allowing both Ducati and Aprilia to thrive here in recent seasons. As the paddock returns from the summer break, teams will be focused on quickly finding their baseline setups to adapt to the notoriously changeable British weather and track temperatures.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The reigning champion is always a formidable force in timed practice, utilizing his precise braking and late-session time attacks to comfortably secure a top-ten spot.
• Jorge Martín — Known for his explosive single-lap speed, the Spaniard is a constant threat to top the timesheets when the soft rear tires are fitted in the final minutes.
• Maverick Viñales — Aprilia has historically performed exceptionally well at the flowing Silverstone circuit, making him a prime candidate to challenge the dominant Ducatis for the fastest lap of the afternoon.

Prediction

Expect a frantic final ten minutes of the session as the entire field fits fresh soft rubber for their decisive time-attack runs. Ducati's current technical superiority should see their leading riders comfortably secure passage into Q2, with Jorge Martín predicted to top the individual timesheets due to his unmatched single-lap intensity. Additionally, Aprilia's strong aerodynamic package at Silverstone will likely see at least two of their bikes safely inside the top five by the end of the hour.