MotoGP England 2025: Alex Marquez explodes with record speed in J1

The 2025 British Grand Prix roared to life with a thrilling opening day at Silverstone, where Alex Marquez stole the show with a record-breaking lap during Practice. The Gresini Ducati rider stunned the field with a blistering 1m57.295s, while his brother and championship leader Marc Marquez had to recover from an early crash to finish fourth.

It was a session filled with surprises, drama, and high-speed heroics—setting the stage for an explosive MotoGP weekend in the UK.

Alex Marquez Tops Practice With Lap Record

Alex Marquez was tipped as a strong contender for the British Grand Prix by none other than his older brother, Marc Marquez, on Thursday. And the younger Marquez delivered emphatically.

Riding with immense precision and flow, Alex Marquez surged to the top of the timesheets in the final minutes of the session. On his last flying lap, he dropped an astonishing 1m57.295s, beating the previous lap record and securing first place in Practice.

“Silverstone’s flowing layout suits Alex’s riding style perfectly,” Marc had said—and his prediction proved prophetic.

The margin was razor-thin: Fabio Quartararo on the leading Yamaha was just 0.047s behind, while Jack Miller, still adjusting to his Pramac Yamaha, took third.

Marc Marquez Recovers from Crash to Finish Fourth

The opening part of the session didn’t go smoothly for Marc Marquez. The factory Ducati rider suffered a crash at Village corner, an area known for tricky braking and late apexes. The fall disrupted his rhythm, but it wasn’t enough to keep him down for long.

Marc regrouped and returned to the track to post a time just 0.360s slower than Alex, placing him fourth overall. His ability to bounce back from adversity is a testament to his championship mettle, even if the Ducati didn’t look quite as comfortable on the flowing Silverstone layout.

Jack Miller Impresses in Third Despite Early Crash

Jack Miller, who has had a tumultuous season so far, bounced back strongly in Practice. Despite suffering a crash early in the session, the Australian remained composed and pushed his Pramac Yamaha M1 into the top three.

“I brushed it off,” Miller said after the session, confident and energized.
“The feeling on this bike at Silverstone is unreal.”

This marks a significant improvement for Yamaha, with Miller joining Quartararo and Alex Rins in securing a spot in Q2. It’s the first time three Yamahas have reached Q2 directly since Valencia 2021, a huge boost for the manufacturer.

Fabio Quartararo: Yamaha’s Leading Light

Fabio Quartararo was Yamaha’s top performer in the session, delivering a confident run that momentarily put him at the top before Alex Marquez stole it in the final moments. His lap of 1m57.342s placed him second overall, and the Frenchman looked comfortable, composed, and motivated.

Yamaha’s pace throughout the session was a revelation. Not only did Quartararo and Miller place in the top three, but Alex Rins also made it into Q2, suggesting that Yamaha’s 2025 upgrades are finally bearing fruit.

Pecco Bagnaia Struggles, Recovers Late to Make Q2

Pecco Bagnaia endured a frustrating session on his factory Ducati, struggling to match the top times for most of the hour. However, a late push in the final minutes allowed the reigning champion to sneak into seventh place, just enough to secure a direct pass into Q2.

While Bagnaia avoided disaster, it’s clear that Silverstone remains a challenging track for the Ducati setup—particularly in cooler, windier conditions like those on Friday.

Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, and Zarco Show VR46 Strength

Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia set the early pace in the session with a 1m58.349s, holding the top spot for nearly half an hour. Though others eventually leapfrogged him, Bezzecchi still finished a strong fifth.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, riding for VR46 Ducati, was sixth and looked confident throughout. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco, now the leading Honda, impressed by placing eighth, signaling a potential turnaround for the Japanese manufacturer.

The collective strength of VR46 and its affiliated riders highlighted the tight competition and evolving dynamics in the 2025 grid.

Fermin Aldeguer Grabs Final Q2 Spot, Acosta Misses Out

Fermin Aldeguer, riding the sister Gresini Ducati, delivered a clutch performance to snatch the final Q2 spot in 10th place, edging out Pedro Acosta by just 0.044s.

Acosta, on his factory KTM, was left stunned after missing out so narrowly. The young Spaniard had been fast in previous rounds, but Silverstone’s demands proved too much this time.

Acosta will now have to battle his way through Q1, adding extra pressure to a rider already carrying high expectations.

Joan Mir and Franco Morbidelli Struggle

Joan Mir, another factory Honda rider, was bumped out of the top 10 late in the session and ended up 12th. His weekend is off to a rough start as he continues to search for consistency.

Worse still was Franco Morbidelli, who crashed during the session and finished down in 16th. The VR46 rider is now under investigation for potentially impeding Marco Bezzecchi at the Maggotts section, which could result in a grid penalty.

Ai Ogura Withdraws from Practice Due to Knee Pain

Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura had a disappointing start to his British GP weekend. After crashing in FP1, he attempted to ride in Practice but had to pull into the pits after just one lap due to knee pain.

Ogura’s status for the remainder of the weekend remains uncertain, casting doubt on his participation in qualifying and the race.

A Historic Day for Yamaha and a Warning Shot from Alex Marquez

The Silverstone Practice session didn’t just set a new lap record—it may have reset the expectations for the weekend. With three Yamahas making Q2 directly, the manufacturer has shown real progress after years of criticism. This includes not just Quartararo, but also Miller and Rins, proving that Yamaha’s changes in chassis and electronics are finally clicking.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to Alex Marquez. His record-breaking lap and dominant display make him a legitimate contender for pole position and even the race win.

“I feel in control. I feel like I can win here,” Alex said in the post-practice interview.

And if he does, it would mark a symbolic changing of the guard within the Marquez family—and the MotoGP paddock.

What to Expect in Qualifying and Race Day

With the top ten now confirmed for Q2, the battle for pole position will be fierce. Riders like Alex Marquez, Quartararo, Miller, and Marc Marquez will all be fighting for front-row grid spots. Weather may play a role too, as Silverstone is known for rapid weather shifts, and Saturday’s forecast includes possible rain.

Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta, Joan Mir, and Franco Morbidelli will face a grueling Q1 as they attempt to fight their way back into contention.

Conclusion: Silverstone Serves Drama, Speed, and a New Star in Alex Marquez

The first day of the 2025 British MotoGP at Silverstone gave fans everything they could hope for—record-breaking speed, dramatic crashes, and a powerful statement from Alex Marquez.

With Yamaha’s rise, Ducati’s consistency, and the added wildcard of Q1 surprises, the weekend is shaping up to be a classic. And at the center of it all is Alex Marquez, who may finally be stepping out of his brother’s shadow—and into the spotlight.