MotoGP Silverstone 2023 Rider Ratings – Those who excelled and those who struggled at the British GP

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On a weekend with unsteady weather, Silverstone provided plenty of action. So, let’s unpack it all with the British GP rider ratings, accounting for the whole weekend!

Aleix Espargaro, S: 5^th, R: 1^st – 9

From twelfth on the grid, expectations were probably low for Aleix Espargaro, for both races. A good performance saw him finish fifth in the Sprint and more was to follow. A brilliant first lap meant he immediately gained six positions in the Grand Prix and his great pace put him in victory contention. He seized upon the opportunity with a brave move at Maggotts that gave him his second MotoGP victory.

Francesco Bagnaia, S: 14^th, R: 2^nd – 7.5

On a tricky weekend, Francesco Bagnaia comes away from Silverstone having extended his championship lead to 41 points over Jorge Martin. A good qualifying came to naught after a bad start to the sprint. Unable to find pace, he came home in fourteenth. In the Grand Prix though, he led for most of the race and was only passed half a lap from the flag. Deciding not to risk it all, he came home in a safe second place.

Brad Binder, S: 9^th, R: 3^rd – 7

Brad Binder was unusually quiet on Saturday, as he failed to make a real impact in qualifying or the Sprint. He shone in the Grand Prix though and he was in victory contention in conditions that suit him, ultimately taking the flag in third for his second GP podium of the season.

Miguel Oliveira, S: 10^th, R: 4^th – 8

Qualifying sixteenth was a surprise for Miguel Oliveira, who usually excels in the rain. His Sprint recovery was not good enough for him to score points, but he made up for it on Sunday. Showing brilliant speed, he was fifth halfway through. The sprinkle put him in the fight for the win and he climbed to third, but he couldn’t hold the spot. A great race after a first half riddled with injuries.

Maverick Vinales, S: 3^rd, R: 5^th – 8

Competitive in both races, the weekend is probably a success for Maverick Vinales, but he undoubtedly will leave Silverstone with a bittersweet taste. A repeat of his Sprint podium seemed like a real possibility on Sunday, but he dropped to fifth while his teammate went on to win the race.

Jorge Martin, S: 6^th, R: 6^th – 7.5

A case of “what could have been” for Jorge Martin. From seventh on the grid, the Spaniard was in the battle for the lead in the first laps of the sprint, but he ultimately faded away. His race took a turn for the worst when he was tapped by Brad Binder and he dropped to last, but an impressive recovery saw him finish sixth.

Luca Marini, S: 11^th, R: 7^th – 5

A steady weekend by Luca Marini, with no real high or low points. His sprint was perhaps the only disappointment, as he failed to score, but coming home seventh in a frantic Grand Prix is a good effort by the young Italian rider.

Jack Miller, S: 7^th, R: 8^th – 6.5

Qualifying in second position was a promising sign for Jack Miller, but it was not translated into a good result in either race. In the sprint, it was a lack of pace that dropped him back, but in the Grand Prix, it was a clash with Maverick Vinales that dropped him from third to fourteenth and cost him any chance of a fight for a podium.

Johann Zarco, S: 4^th, R: 9^th – 5

A steady weekend with no issues for Johann Zarco, but ultimately not the result he was hoping for. A good result in the Sprint was promising ahead of the Grand Prix. The Frenchman decided to risk though, and he decided to start with soft tyres. Despite an early charge to fourth, the drop-off was too severe and he finished ninth.

Raul Fernandez, S: 19^th, R: 10^th – 6

A very quiet weekend from Raul Fernandez, but not a good one overall. Speed was never there for the young Spaniard, but staying out of trouble took him up to tenth, his best result of the season. More is expected from him though.

Augusto Fernandez, S: 8^th, R: 11^th – 7.5

The big surprise of qualifying was Augusto Fernandez, who started both races from fifth. His race pace was not good enough to see him contend for great results, but still two points scoring efforts from the rookie make this a successful weekend.

Pol Espargaro, S: 16^th, R: 12^th – 7

On his first race back after a horrendous crash at the season opener, Pol Espargaro was fast and managed to stay out of trouble, making the weekend a success. The Spaniard, who switched teams over the winter, was twelfth in the Grand Prix, for his first points of the season.

Fabio di Giannantonio, S: 12^th, R: 13^th – 4.5

Another mediocre weekend by Fabio di Giannantonio, on a weekend his teammate shone. Qualifying eighteenth meant little was expected from the Sprint and, indeed, no points were scored. The Grand Prix was better though, and he was running tenth before an ill-fated decision to swap bikes as rain started to fall.

Franco Morbidelli, S: 15^th, R: 14^th – 4

On the weekend Yamaha announced that Franco Morbidelli would be replaced by Alex Rins, the Italian had a good performance. Progressing through Q1 was a good start, even though it didn’t translate into points on Saturday. Sunday was very competitive as well, as he spent much of the race in the top ten. He dropped off though, swapped bikes and fell to fourteenth in the end.

Fabio Quartararo, S: 21^st, R: 15^th – 1

Perhaps the worst weekend for Fabio Quartararo in his MotoGP career. Qualifying last after a crash during Q1 was bad enough, but his sprint performance was lackluster as well. His race was better, as he climbed up to eighth, but a crash with Luca Marini damaged his bike and forced him to pit.

Takaaki Nakagami, S: 20^th, R: 16^th – 4

We didn’t see much of Takaaki Nakagami during the whole weekend. A steady weekend by the Japanese, but no points scored in either race at Silverstone, just for the second time this season, as the decision to swap bikes did not pay off.

Iker Lecuona, S: 22^nd, R: 17^th – 5

Subbing in for Alex Rins at LCR Honda, expectations were low for Iker Lecuona. On a weekend with difficult conditions, the Spaniard stayed out of trouble and finished both races, albeit in the bottom of the order.

Enea Bastianini, S: 13^th, R: DNF – 2

Despite racing for the factory Ducati squad, Enea Bastianini never made an impact in the front. Having spent all sessions outside the top ten, his misery was compounded by a late clash with Marc Marquez late in the Grand Prix, which put him out of the race. The Italian hoped to bounce back after injuries early in the season, but it has not happened at all.

Marc Marquez, S: 18^th, R: DNF – 2

Back after his second injury of the season, Marc Marquez looked surprisingly unwilling to risk and attack. No points and a late fall for the Spaniard, who started his fourth out of nine this season and is yet to finish a Grand Prix.

Marco Bezzecchi, S: 2^nd, R: DNF – 5

A crash late in qualifying was not enough to cost Marco Bezzecchi his pole position in Silverstone. A good performance Sprint meant he was able to somewhat close his gap to Bagnaia to 27 points, but it all came undone in the race. Pushing way too hard on a track that was still dry led to a crash and Bezzecchi will undoubtedly leave Silverstone unhappy.

Alex Marquez, S: 1^st, R: DNF – 8

Unexpectedly one of the stars of the weekend, Alex Marquez qualified on the front row and took advantage of the wet conditions to win the Sprint, his first victory of any sorts in the premier class. His Grand Prix did not go well, but it was through no fault of his own. Running fourth early in the race, a mechanical issue forced him into retirement, from a very promising position.

Joan Mir, S: 17^th, R: DNF – 2

Joan Mir also returned from a three-race absence and things are not improving. Another retirement for the Spaniard, who fell on the second lap of the Grand Prix. He has only finished once this season and that was in the season opener.

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