DANGEROUS TRACK? Silverstone Suspected of Not Being Safe After Alex Marquez’s Crash Angers Him

The 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone took a dangerous turn for Alex Márquez, who endured a terrifying crash at Turn 1 – Abbey Corner, triggering a new wave of criticism over the safety standards of one of MotoGP’s most legendary circuits. What should have been a triumphant weekend after his Sprint victory quickly became a sobering reminder of how thin the line between glory and disaster remains in the world of motorcycle racing.

After sliding off the track in spectacular fashion just moments into the Grand Prix, Márquez didn’t hold back. The Gresini Ducati rider drew a chilling comparison between his fall and Carlos Tatay’s 2023 crash in Portimão, warning that unless urgent changes are made, it’s only a matter of time before disaster strikes.

“We must act before a tragedy occurs,” Márquez told the media, visibly shaken. “It was the same thing that happened to Tatay. I was really close to the wall. My bike hit the wall, and I fell maybe 15 meters. That’s unacceptable.”

Alex Márquez’s Crash Rekindles Debate Around Silverstone Safety

Abbey Corner has always been one of the fastest and most perilous parts of the Silverstone circuit, but according to Alex Márquez, the track’s run-off area is wholly inadequate for modern MotoGP machines. While MotoGP prides itself on continuously enhancing rider safety, some corners remain relics of an older era—something the Spanish rider is no longer willing to tolerate.

“When I fell there, there was no gravel,” Márquez said. “It’s just poorly positioned asphalt followed by a wall. If this crash had happened during a flying lap in qualifying, I would have gone straight into that wall. It’s really dangerous.”

The crash not only disrupted Márquez’s rhythm but threatened his physical safety. The impact launched his bike perilously close to the barriers, raising alarms about Silverstone’s suitability as a modern MotoGP venue without significant safety revisions.

Red Flag Incident: A Chaotic Start to the Grand Prix

The crash wasn’t the only incident marring the opening laps of the British Grand Prix. Moments after Márquez’s high-speed fall, the race was red-flagged following an oil leak caused by a collision between Franco Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaró.

While the red flag allowed Márquez to rejoin the race, the temporary reprieve did little to calm his frustration.

“There’s a safety commission. Dorna has people responsible for this,” Márquez said. “They need to be more vigilant. They need to act before things happen. It really makes me angry.”

His frustration underscores a growing perception among riders that the governing bodies are being too reactive instead of proactive when it comes to track safety.

Technical Concerns: The Run-Off Area at Abbey Corner

Much of Márquez’s anger stems from the run-off area at Abbey, which consists of asphalt with gravel placed too far back to make a real difference in slowing down a crashing bike or rider.

According to Márquez, the current configuration does not provide enough buffer space to safely absorb a fall at full throttle speeds. Riders accelerating through Turn 1 approach the corner at nearly 300 km/h, making it one of the fastest on the calendar.

“If this had happened during a flying lap, I would’ve hit the wall,” Márquez warned. “We can’t wait for something terrible to happen before we make changes.”

A Calculated Tire Gamble: Medium Over Soft

Despite the crash and the chaotic restart, Alex Márquez rejoined the race and salvaged a fifth-place finish, though his tire choice became another point of introspection.

“We went with the medium front,” he explained. “It was my decision. The soft had better performance but I was afraid it wouldn’t last on the right side.”

While Marco Bezzecchi went on to win the race using a soft front tire, Márquez’s decision was influenced by track temperature and confidence, both of which had been undermined by the crash.

“Maybe it wasn’t the right choice, but I finished fifth. We must see the positive aspects.”

Still, Márquez admitted to battling mental fatigue and shaken confidence throughout the race.

“I was in a bad situation, without confidence. I was lucky today, really.”

Championship Implications: Damage Control Amid Chaos

Márquez’s fifth-place finish, while commendable under the circumstances, sees him now trailing the MotoGP championship leader by 25 points. It’s a manageable gap, but one that leaves little room for error as the season progresses.

Despite the setback, Márquez remains focused on the broader picture.

“The points matter, of course, but so does staying safe. What happened today could have ended a lot worse.”

His comments reflect a wider sentiment in the paddock—that rider safety must never come second to spectacle or tradition.

Track Safety in MotoGP: Time for a Reset?

This isn’t the first time Silverstone’s safety has come under scrutiny. The circuit was heavily criticized in 2018 for its inability to handle wet weather, which led to the cancellation of the entire race weekend. Since then, resurfacing efforts have improved grip, but issues around run-off zones, particularly at high-speed corners like Abbey, remain unresolved.

Carlos Tatay’s 2023 crash in Portimão, which left the rider with multiple injuries after slamming into a barrier, was supposed to be a wake-up call. But as Márquez pointed out, lessons weren’t learned.

“We’ve seen this before. We need to learn from these incidents, not repeat them.”

With Silverstone a staple of the calendar and one of the oldest circuits in motorsport history, updating its infrastructure for modern racing demands has proven challenging. However, voices like Márquez’s may finally push Dorna and the FIM to take decisive action.

Riders Rally Around Safety Demands

Alex isn’t alone in his criticism. Several riders, including Fabio Quartararo, Brad Binder, and Maverick Viñales, have expressed concerns over various tracks this season, citing run-off issues, inconsistent gravel placement, and lack of tech-pro barriers in dangerous sections.

These grievances are being raised during the Friday Safety Commission meetings, but progress is often slow due to logistical and financial constraints at certain venues.

Still, the incident at Silverstone may serve as a catalyst for change. When a high-profile rider like Márquez calls out a specific section of track and compares it to a well-known crash that left a rider injured, it’s hard for organizers to ignore.

The Path Forward: Will Silverstone Change?

The pressure is now on Silverstone management and MotoGP’s governing bodies to re-evaluate Turn 1 safety infrastructure. Possible solutions could include:

• Extending the gravel trap at Abbey

• Installing tech-pro or air fences to absorb bike impact

• Rethinking the track’s entry angle to reduce speed

None of these options are simple, and all would require extensive planning and budget considerations. However, the potential consequences of inaction are too great to ignore.

If MotoGP wants to maintain its reputation as a sport that values rider safety, the time to act is now.

Final Thoughts: A Warning That Must Be Heeded

Alex Márquez didn’t just fall on Sunday—he issued a warning. A warning echoed in his words, in his shaken expression, and in the haunting parallels to past tragedies.

“I was lucky today,” he said. “But what about next time?”

The 2025 MotoGP season has been one of the most exciting in years, with rising talents, dramatic finishes, and fierce rivalries. But excitement cannot come at the cost of safety. If Sunday’s events at Silverstone don’t result in real changes, the sport risks a repeat of history—and not the kind fans want to see.