MotoGP™: Bagnaia on top as more records tumble for Michelin at Silverstone

The Monster Energy British Grand Prix, Round 12 of the 2022 World Championship, marked the return of MotoGPTM action after the summer break. Michelin hit the ground running to contribute to new fastest lap, fastest race-lap and shortest race-duration records for Silverstone with tree different riders and provide yet another illustration of the MICHELIN Power range’s outstanding versatility. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) picked up the day’s win, ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing Team) and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team). 

After posting a new track-lap record (1m57.767s) on his way to claiming pole position, it was Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) who set the early pace at Silverstone, before Miller and Rins (ECSTAR Suzuki Team) took turns in front.

Bagnaia took advantage of the grip and consistency of his medium and hard Power Slicks front and rear to challenge for the lead around the halfway mark and he eventually succeeded in taking control on the twelfth of the race’s 20 laps. Clearly confident in his tire choice, the Italian shrugged off late pressure from Viñales to become the eighth different winner at the British venue in as many years.

Viñales went on to collect his second podium-finish in a row after Assen, chased by third-placed Miller who had opted for the soft front MICHELIN Power.

Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) fought his way up the field in spectacular fashion to salvage fourth, ahead of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

Alex Rins clocked a new race-lap record for Silverstone (1m59.346s) on his way to sixth at the flag, while Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) rounded out the day’s top eight.

On the tire front, nine different riders beat the venue’s former track record in qualifying, while 11 riders bettered the previous race-lap benchmark and Bagnaia shaved 2.539 seconds off the race-duration record for the British GP.

Quartararo continues to top the championship order on 180 points, 22 and 49 units clear respectively of Aleix Espargaro (9th, Aprilia Racing Team) and Bagnaia.

Next round: CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, Red Bull Ring, Austria (August 19-21).