“One of the riders’ favourite tracks”: Silverstone welcomes MotoGP™ back for another showdown

Quartararo is joined by Aleix Espargaro, Bagnaia, Miller and Rins as the second half of the season gets underway

Thursday, 04 August 2022

It’s been a while but we are BACK! Ahead of track action at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix there was plenty to talk about, with the pre-event Press Conference gathering reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), closest challenger Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Assen winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), teammate Jack Miller and former Silverstone winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

Here are some quotes!

QUOTES

FABIO QUARTARARO

How you feeling ahead of the weekend and the penalty?

“Yeah five weeks was pretty long but I feel happy to be back, I will approach this weekend like a normal weekend, it’s how we need to do it. And then we have that penalty but let’s see how the weekend is going and of course how we approach the race. It will be a great challenge for us and I feel ready to race.”

Why does Silverstone suit the Yamaha so well?

“In the previous categories, Moto3 and Moto2, I’ve never been fast but in my rookie MotoGP I really felt I could fight for victory before the start of the race, I made the start and at the first corner I crashed but last year I could fight for the victory. It’s a track that’s quite technical, especially in the first sector, but with the MotoGP bike I’ve always been quick so let’s see how it goes, but I don’t see a reason to go slow.”

Are you looking forward to starting 2023 in Portugal?

“I’m not in the Championship since 2006 so that’s not a problem. For me it’s the same. It’s just a different track, a day race, but for me it’s the same. It’s a track that I love so it’s nice.”

ALEIX ESPARGARO

The 15th to fourth in Assen must give you confidence?

“Yes, it has been a good summer break – too long – but I enjoyed the Assen GP a lot. Actually, it gave me a lot of motivation for the second part of the season because I proved, especially to myself, that I can be very competitive and very fast. Last year here, I got my first podium with Aprilia, and after one more year, we have achieved a lot more podiums, pole position, I won a GP, so it has been an incredible year and hopefully we can keep going this weekend.”

Are these next three months the biggest of your career, and how excited are you to resume after the break as a Championship contender?

“I can’t wait, sincerely. I’m very motivated, more than ever in my life. I recharged the batteries a lot during these five weeks and the challenge that I have in front of me is huge, but I will try to enjoy it as much as possible. It’s going to be a very, very intense three months, but I will try my best, I will try to fight to the end. I think I have a very good team, a very good bike, and I have proved in the last GP that I can be very fast, so let’s try to have some fun and see if I can do it.”

Thoughts on starting 2023 season in Portimao?

“For me, it will be strange. It will be strange because Qatar is always special, it’s a very different track, different country, and under the moon, under the lights, it’s always special. I also like Portimao a lot, so I will try to do my best, but I will miss Qatar!”

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA

Amazing win in Assen, how excited are you to be back?

“First of all yeah, I’m happy to be back. Five weeks is very long and I’ve been looking forward to be here again. It’s one of the riders’ favourite tracks, Silverstone, and last year I was quite competitive until the race because I found some problems with the rear tyre. But in any case with the improvements we’ve done with our bike we can be more competitive from the start of the race and of the weekend and we’ll see what will happen.”

Four poles, three victories ahead of summer break, how important is the consistency?

“For sure if I want to have a chance to win the Championship I have to finish more races. It’s ok to win but it’s also important to finish when you’re not able to win. In the last six races I won three races but I also crashed in three races, two for my reasons and one for another. But in any case in the second part of the season it will be important to find the consistency and to be competitive like we were always in the first part of the season, but with finishing the races.”

And starting the season in Portugal?

“We always say that when we come to Europe we can see the clear potential of each rider, so let’s see if it changes something. But I’m happy because I love Portimao.”

JACK MILLER

You must feel motivated and confident after last year’s near-podium at Silverstone?

“Yeah, all the boys saying it [summer break] was too long; it definitely wasn’t long enough for me. Three weeks at home was nice to enjoy for a bit – a little bit of motocross, a little bit of catching up with the family, did some camping, pretty easy, to be honest. So, I enjoyed it a lot, batteries feel recharged, and ready to go. I had a good battle here last year and I think the improvements we’ve made with the GP22 should, on paper, benefit at a track like this, so I’m excited to see what we have for the weekend. The main objective this weekend is to not join Fabio in the Long Lap Penalty zone; the last two races, having two of them hasn’t been ideal, so I’ll try to let him be the hero and go through there this weekend, and I’ll stick to the normal track.”

What are your targets for the remainder of your time with Ducati?

“No targets. The main goal is to try and do better than what we did last season, which was fourth. So, if we can be consistent, be fast, I feel like we worked a lot of the kinks out in the first half of the season and we’ve got a fantastic package under us now, and we have a bike that can fight in lot of different races. So, we’ll give it a crack and see what happens. There’s a lot more that can go on, as we saw in Assen and throughout the first half of the season; a lot of things can change. So, we’ll just take it race by race, try and enjoy it the most, and take as many podiums as we can, and finish up my time in a happy place.”

Thoughts on starting 2023 season in Portimao?

“The date looks better; end of March gives me a little bit more time at home, hopefully. Hopefully we don’t have to fly to Sepang or anything like that. I’ll have to talk to KTM about the team presentation, otherwise I might get sick again or something!”

ALEX RINS

How much you looking forward to the LCR challenge?

“I’m really excited to announce during the summer break that I will race for LCR Honda next year, it’s really good news for me. I’m really excited because it’s a big challenge, I will try to give all my experience to them to improve the bike and try to make a competitive and winning bike again. But first of all we still have nine races to go, right now the Suzuki is working quite good. I would like to get the speed from the first races again, where we got two podiums in Texas and Argentina, but you know I think we’re on a good way. We’ve been unlucky in the last few races, it’s been difficult for me with the wrist injury, but right now I’m at 100% so let’s try to fight.”

Fully recovered from wrist, must be a great chance to fight for the podium?

“Well for sure it will be a difficult race. Many people are saying to me that we’re arriving to Silverstone and I will win or I’ll finish on the podium, but the level in MotoGP is high. A lot of riders are riding so fast, so let’s see. We’ll start from Friday and improve the setting of the bike a little bit, and then the key is the quali. Let’s see if we can qualify well and we’ll see in the race.”

And what about starting the season in Portugal?

“For sure it’s going to be different, since I arrived in the Championship in 2012 we were going to Qatar one week early for a test and everything, so I don’t know how this will change for Portimao but for me it’s fine. It’s a good track.”

More power, more revs for Moto2™ as Triumph continues to develop the 765cc triple

Triumph’s CPO Steve Sargent is joined on stage by Dorna Managing Director Carlos Ezpeleta to discuss the future at Silverstone

Thursday, 04 August 2022

On the eve of the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, Triumph announced a raft of developments to the 765cc triple Moto2™ engine, derived from the production Street Triple RS, to increase revs, power and performance, as Triumph’s Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent was joined on stage in a special Press Conference by Dorna Managing Director Carlos Ezpeleta.

Since the start of the Triumph triple-powered era in 2019, the 765cc engine has redefined the class with 68 new lap and outright records set, 20 different winners and the first ever 300+ km/h top speed.

The characteristics of the Triumph triple have drawn wide-ranging praise for closing the gap to the MotoGP™ category in terms of performance and required riding style, becoming more relevant in the series’ role as a feeder category.

Already marking a significant step up in terms of power when the 765cc engine was announced as powering Moto2™ from the start of 2019, this latest raft of developments from Triumph will give the riders even more after four seasons of optimising the current performance package of engine, electronics and tyres.

The latest developments further improve the top end of the engine, increasing compression ratio with a new cylinder head, longer valves to increase lift along with a new camshaft profile, and revised valve springs.

To maintain the engine’s impressive reliability record, having already completed nearly one million competitive Moto2™ kilometres, further improvements focus on the pistons, conrods and crankshaft to cope with the higher piston pressure of 90 BAR (up from 85 BAR).

Steve Sargent, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer: “We are incredibly proud of the way that our 765cc triple engine has redefined the Moto2™ category, making it faster, more competitive and better sounding. To have achieved so many lap records, and a top speed equivalent to more than 100km/h per cylinder, is something we are very satisfied with since Triumph started powering the class from the 2019 season. When there’s such a fundamental change to a category everyone embarks upon a journey of learning – the riders and teams in terms of becoming attuned to the characteristics of the triple and optimising the overall package of engine, electronics and tyres, and us as Triumph in terms of performance potential and reliability. We have achieved very nearly 1 million competitive kilometres on the current-spec 765cc Moto2™ engine and that gives us enormous confidence as we take this next step to the give the riders something they all want – more revs and more power. We look forward to seeing yet more lap records fall as lap times get faster, and how more power gives riders more freedom to create overtaking opportunities and are excited to begin the next chapter of Moto2™ powered by Triumph.”

Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports Managing Director: “Since the start of the Triumph era in Moto2™, we’ve been very satisfied with the performance, and reliability, of the Triumph 765cc triple and the lap records speak for themselves. It’s important that Moto2™ is a spectacle in its own right and that it provides a relevant platform to develop the next generation of MotoGP riders and this new announcement of more engine power goes even further in achieving both of those objectives. We’re very happy with the work of Triumph in powering Moto2™ and to see the way that they are constantly evaluating and improving.”

The Triumph Moto2™ 765cc race engine is a development of the class-leading Street Triple RS 765cc road motorcycle and produces more than 140PS and the same visceral soundtrack. The top-spec Street Triple RS variant is as perfectly suited to the track as it is the road.

The Triumph Triple Trophy, which continues to run alongside the Moto2™ World Championship, has a new metric for 2022, awarding points for best race progression from starting position to finish. This has already highlighted some remarkable performances, such as Jeremy Alcoba climbing 20 places in the Grand Prix of Portugal and Joe Roberts climbing 17 positions at Le Mans, and these latest engine developments aim to offer more opportunities for overtaking.

For 2022, the Triumph Triple Trophy points structure has been revised as follows:

7 points – Best race progression from start to finish: 7 points for the rider or riders making up the most positions from race start to chequered flag

6 points – Pole position: 6 points for the rider who qualifies on pole

5 points – Fastest race lap: 5 points for the fastest rider/riders in case of an equal fastest lap

The winner – the rider who has achieved the greatest number of points throughout the season – will be awarded a custom-liveried Triumph Street Triple RS motorcycle which is powered by the 765cc triple engine from which the Moto2™ powerplant is derived.

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO TO RETIRE FROM MOTOGP AFTER 2022 SAN MARINO GP

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. confirm MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso‘s decision to retire from his 20-year Grand Prix racing career at the 2022 Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, exactly one year after joining Yamaha‘s MotoGP programme.

Silverstone (UK), 4th August 2022

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announce that MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso has decided to retire from MotoGP after the upcoming Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.

Dovizioso and Yamaha have maintained a warm relationship since he completed a successful season with the Tech3 Yamaha satellite team in 2012, resulting in six third places and fourth place in the final standings. He rejoined Yamaha‘s satellite rider line-up at the 2021 San Marino GP when Franco Morbidelli moved up to the Factory Team.

Dovizioso was originally planning to stay with the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team for the entire 2022 MotoGP season, riding a factory-spec YZR-M1 and receiving full support from Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., but recently decided to end his career at his Misano home race.

Yamaha‘s official test rider Cal Crutchlow will be the substitute rider for the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team for the remaining six races of the 2022 season.

LIN JARVIS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, YAMAHA MOTOR RACING

I want to start by saying that, of course, we are all sad that Andrea will be leaving the sport earlier than expected. He is a big name in MotoGP, and he will be missed in the paddock.

“We considered ourselves very lucky last year that he was available and willing to join our MotoGP programme when Franky switched to the Yamaha Factory Team thus creating the need for a replacement rider for the remainder of the 2021 season. Andrea‘s great expertise, experience, and methodical nature were of great interest to Yamaha and the RNF team and the project was fixed to include the full 2022 season.

“Unfortunately, Andrea has struggled to extract the maximum potential out of the M1 and thus the results have not been forthcoming, which has created understandable frustration for Andrea. Finally during the summer break, he confirmed to us his desire to retire before the end of the season.

“After mutual discussions it was deemed appropriate for Andrea to ride his final race in Misano at his home GP. Naturally, Yamaha will continue to give ’Dovi‘ their full support over the next three races. In the meantime, let‘s enjoy his last three GPs and celebrate in Misano the end of a spectacular career.

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO

WITHU YAMAHA RNF MOTOGP RIDER

I thank Lin for his words, I totally agree with them. In 2012, the experience with the Iwata manufacturer in MotoGP had been very positive for me and since then I have always thought that, sooner or later, I would have liked to have an official contract with Yamaha. This possibility presented itself, actually in a somewhat daring way, during 2021. I decided to give it a try because I strongly believed in this project and in the possibility of doing well.

“Unfortunately, in recent years MotoGP has changed profoundly. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike, and I have not been able to make the most of its potential despite the precious and continuous help from the team and the whole of Yamaha.

“The results were negative, but beyond that, I still consider it a very important life experience. When there are so many difficulties, you need to have the ability to manage the situation and your emotions well. We did not reach the desired objectives, but the consultations with the Yamaha technicians and with those of my team have always been positive and constructive, both for them and for me. The relationship remained loyal and professionally interesting even in the most critical moments: it was not so obvious that that would happen.

“For all this and for their support, I thank Yamaha, the RNF Racing Team, WithU, and the other sponsors involved in the project. It didn’t go as we hoped, but it was right to try. My adventure will end in Misano, but the relationship with all the people involved in this challenge will remain intact forever. Thank you all.

More, from a press release issued by WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team will bid farewell to Andrea Dovizioso after 2022 San Marino GP

Team Principal Razlan Razali respects the decision made by MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso to end the 2022 season early, Cal Crutchlow will step in for WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team.

The three times MotoGP Vice Champion and WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP rider, Andrea Dovizioso have decided to retire from his MotoGP racing career after this year’s Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Taking his place for the balance six rounds of the 2022 season will be Yamaha’s official test rider Cal Crutchlow.

Dovizioso re-joined the premier class at the 2021 San Marino GP under the former PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team, he then decided to continue as a full time rider with the revamped WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team for the 2022 season, riding a factory-spec YZR-M1. Despite facing difficulties in adapting to the riding style of the Yamaha, Dovizioso managed to end the first half of the season scoring 10 important points for the team. After much consideration, he recently decided to end his career at his home race exactly one year after returning to the paddock, leaving behind a list of excellent achievements.
The Italian’s departure from MotoGP will be replaced by three times MotoGP race winner, Cal Crutchlow who retired as a full time MotoGP rider at the end of 2020 but returned in 2021 for three races on the M1.

Razlan Razali and the whole WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team thanks Andrea Dovizioso for his contribution to the squad’s MotoGP project and will continue to give the utmost support to Andrea over the next three races.

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO

“In 2012, the experience with the Iwata manufacturer in MotoGP had been very positive for me and since then I have always thought that, sooner or later, I would have liked to have an official contract with Yamaha. This possibility presented itself, actually in a somewhat daring way, during 2021. I decided to give it a try because I strongly believed in this project and in the possibility of doing well.”

“Unfortunately, in recent years the MotoGP has changed profoundly. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike, and I have not been able to make the most of its potential despite the precious and continuous help from the team and the whole of Yamaha. The results were negative, but beyond that, I still consider it a very important life experience. When there are so many difficulties, you need to have the ability to manage the situation and your emotions well. We did not reach the desired objectives, but the consultations with the Yamaha technicians and with those of my team have always been positive and constructive, both for them and for me. The relationship remained loyal and professionally interesting even in the most critical moments: it was not so obvious that that would happen.”

“For all this and for their support, I thank Yamaha, my team and WithU, and the other sponsors involved in the project. It didn’t go as we hoped, but it was right to try. My adventure will end in Misano, but the relationship with all the people involved in this challenge will remain intact forever. Thank you all.”

Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team 

“As we return to the paddock after a five week’s break, we were looking forward to work on turning things around for Andrea especially after some positive findings in the last two races. Nevertheless, he has made his decision to retire and we respect that. Indeed, we are sad to see a great and experienced rider like Andrea leaving the championship and not ending the season with us. But we understand, he has been clear of his struggle to be comfortable with the bike and to suit his riding style to the way the bike needs to be ridden. Though we did not manage to reach the desired results together, we are still honoured and pleased to have a big name like Andrea in our team. We would like to thank Andrea for his support, expertise and contribution and we will continue to give him the full support for the remainder of the three races.”
 

Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team 

“Of course, this announcement and early retirement from Andrea is not really what we wanted as a team but also understandable from Andrea’s side as he clearly expected much more from his return than what he was able to do. We tried to stay behind him as much as possible in all areas all the way, but finally he decided himself to stop after the Misano GP and of course looking to complete his career. Anyway, we have to accept his decision because this is clearly something that a rider needs to do. We can say whatever we want, but we can only appreciate his honesty and also his decision. We will do anything to keep pushing and getting results for the team.”

MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP START SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON WITH BRITISH GP

Silverstone (UK), 3rd August 2022

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are looking forward to being back on track at this weekend‘s British Grand Prix. Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli are fully recharged for the Monster Energy sponsored event.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are highly anticipating Round 12 of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship. Both Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli are fond of the Silverstone Circuit and are keen to rise to the occasion, especially since the Monster Energy British Grand Prix shares the team‘s title sponsor.

Quartararo arrives in the UK holding first place in the championship standings, with a 21-point advantage over his closest rival. Though the Yamaha man knows he will have to complete a long-lap penalty during Sunday‘s race (handed to him by the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel following a race incident involving Aleix Espargaró in Round 11 at the TT Circuit Assen), he is determined to extend his championship lead.

The Frenchman really enjoys riding the Silverstone Circuit as underlined by last year‘s victory at the Monster Energy sponsored event.

Morbidelli is looking forward to stepping aboard his YZR-M1 again. After five weeks of relaxing but also training, he is ready to start the next chapter of his 2022 campaign. He is currently 19th with 25 points and on the hunt for some serious championship points.

The Italian knows the Silverstone Circuit well, having secured second place in Moto2 in 2016 and third place in the same class in 2017. This experience will come in useful as he sets out this weekend for the first time since 2019 (there was no British GP in 2020 due to the pandemic, and he missed the 2021 edition due to a knee injury).

Silverstone was added to the MotoGP calendar in 2010 but has a racing history of over sixty years. Thanks to innovations and investments, the circuit became one of the fastest tracks on the calendar and has earned high praise from the riders.

Due to the UK being situated in a different time zone, the schedule for the British GP slightly differs from the usual Central European Grand Prix timetable. The FP1 and FP2 sessions will take place on Friday from 09:55 – 10:40 and 14:10 – 14:55 local track time (GMT+1). On Saturday FP3 will be held from 09:55 – 10:40, followed by FP4, Q1, and Q2 in the afternoon at 13:30 – 14:00, 14:10 – 14:25 and 14:35 – 14:50. On Sunday, Warm Up will be staged at 09:30 – 09:50, and the race is scheduled to start at 13:00.

Those who wish to be reminded of the track‘s lay-out can do so by watching this week‘s MotoGP eSport race video.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

We are excited to start the second half of the season. The British round is even more special to our team because we share our title sponsor with the event, so that makes us even more intent on starting the second leg of the season in the best way possible. Fabio, Franky, and all the team staff have been able to get some rest and also prepare for the busy next three months. The championship is very close, so we can‘t leave a stone unturned!

FABIO QUARTARARO

I‘m happy to start riding again. I used the summer break to get some rest, but I also put in a lot of hours of training. My mind was always still on returning to action in the best shape possible. I am really looking forward to Silverstone – I won there last year. This time will be tricky because we know that we have that long-lap penalty… But if I‘m really honest, that only motivates me to do even better.

FRANCO MORBIDELLI

After a long break, we finally start riding again! It‘s been three years for me since I rode at the British Grand Prix. We are aiming for better results in this second part of the season, and I feel ready to push and score some good results.

MOTOGP RESUMES AT SILVERSTONE

ALEIX: “THE BREAK CAME AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME”

MAVERICK: “WE ARE FAST AND THERE IS STILL MARGIN”

After a regenerating summer break, MotoGP World Championship heads back to the track on the Silverstone asphalt. Based on the triangular shape of a military airport’s three runways, the English circuit has made history in motoring competitions on both two and four wheels. Even with all the updates in recent years, it has not lost its characteristics: long, complex, and demanding, it requires full concentration of riders and mechanics to adapt to both the fast parts and the more handling-oriented ones.

For both the Aprilia riders, Silverstone holds unforgettable memories. Last year, Aleix took the Italian manufacturer’s first, historic podium in MotoGP at the end of a breathtaking duel, whereas in 2016, Maverick won his first race in the premier class right here in England.

Motivation is renewed this season, with Espargaró a serious contender for the championship title and Viñales fresh from a podium finish in Assen. Conditions that set up a second half of the season with the Aprilia RS-GP machines playing prominent roles.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
“This year more than ever, we really needed this break! The first part of the season was incredible, but the new situation we are experiencing has also demanded a lot of physical and mental energy. So we really needed to recharge our batteries, also because we have some tracks ahead of us where both the Aprilia and I have the chance to continue racking up important results. Starting with Silverstone, a circuit that I like and where I have always managed to be rather competitive.”

MAVERICK VIÑALES
“Given the way we finished the first part of a season on an upward trend, I can’t wait to get back on the track. The enthusiasm after the Assen podium made this break seem like an eternity, but now I’m ready and stoked to get back in the saddle of my Aprilia. The results show that we are improving and my feeling with the bike is extremely good but I feel like I still have margin to improve. I want to keep working together with the team in order to be able to achieve our full potential. I’m sure that from here to Valencia we’ll have great fun.”