TNT Sports
Former world champion Jorge Martin takes pole for Grand Prix Great Britain, Marc Marquez sixth-quickest at Silverstone
By
Published 08/08/2026 at 13:59 GMT+1
React to this story
Former world champion Jorge Martin was quickest during Saturday lunchtime's qualifying session at Silverstone for Grand Prix Great Britain, with his team-mate Marco Bezzecchi trailing behind in fifth spot and Marc Marquez struggling.
'I've never seen such a stark contrast' - Marquez v Bezzecchi analysed
Video credit: TNT Sports
The current world championship leader now has an excellent chance of extending his lead at the top of the standings, with the Silverstone track expected to suit the Aprilia bike over the course of the weekend.
Martin's time of 1:56.160 is a new lap record for the Silverstone circuit.
Aprilia's expected supremacy on British soil proved to be the case at Saturday lunchtime, with the Italian manufacturer dominating the top of the pack.
Trackhouse GP duo Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura came next, in second and third respectively, meaning the Aprilia factory and satellite teams have a lockout on the front row for Saturday afternoon’s Sprint and Sunday’s full-length race, shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
On the second row, Fabio Di Giannantonio was the quickest Ducati rider on his VR46 Pertamina, with Martin’s team-mate Marco Bezzecchi fifth-quickest.
Ducati Lenovo rider and current world champion Marc Marquez had earlier conceded that he felt even a podium finish was unlikely, let alone a win, and he was sixth-quickest, suggesting that he will have to make up the difference at the top in future race weekends, and keep damage to a minimum in Britain.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/08/07/image-8b6420c9-46a7-4352-9885-6a12e9bd9174-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Marco Bezzecchi! What?! - Aprilia rider back to his best at Grand Prix Britain qualfiying
Video credit: TNT Sports
Marquez’s younger brother, Alex Marquez, will line up first on the third row in his BK8 Gresini, and Franco Morbidelli was next quickest for VR46 Pertamina. KTM rider Pedro Acosta is due to link up with the older Marquez next season, and he was the ninth-quickest overall.
It was confirmed that Fermin Aldeguer would miss this weekend for BK8 Gresini, and Iker Lecuona is racing in his place, scoring 10th position, impressive given this is a rare MotoGP appearance for the Spaniard.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha) was 11th, and last in Q2 was Joan Mir (Honda) as the former world champion continued to find it tough to match his very best previous performances.
It was another poor performance in qualifying for the other factory Ducati Lenovo rider, Francesco Bagnaia.
The former world champion has flattered to deceive over the course of the season and in his last year with the manufacturer before he moves to Aprilia at the end of the campaign - with a four-year contract to come - he looks set to struggle at Silverstone.
He was 16th-fastest overall and failed to get out of Q1, limiting his chances of earning serious points over the weekend.
- 'Far from the podium' - Marquez expects to struggle at Grand Prix Great Britain
- Bezzecchi sets new track record in storming comeback to top Practice
- Hodgson Column: This Marc Marquez comeback could be the greatest of his career
Title leader Martin currently sits top of the world championship standings with 208 points, with Ogura in second on 194 points.
Marquez has 190 points in third, while Bezzecchi has slipped to fourth spot on 186 points after a wretched couple of months, two ahead of Di Giannantonio on 184.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Watch and stream every race of the 2026 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Advertisement
Advertisement