The British GP in 2016 saw a 1-2 for the two key Championship protagonists this season: Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten) and Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS). Now, it could be time for a re-run.
It’s 26 points between the two, so Morbidelli will be hoping to turn the tables to keep his advantage. But after losing 17 points of his previous buffer at Brno, there’s no carte blanche and no playing it safe. And that’s the same for Lüthi – who has to push, and has to take every chance.
The joker in the pack for that duel could be Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS). With some good pace at the venue in Moto2 and Moto3, the rider from Cervera could take the 25 points for his first win outside Spain – or become an important pawn between the two men ahead of him in the standings. Marquez is still in the title fight and could prove a dark horse as the twists and turns of the year unfold but Morbidelli will want him to be his wingman, as well as his teammate – and Lüthi would equally love the 2014 Moto3 World Champion to start taking points off Morbidelli.
Also on the podium last year was Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), who is looking to recover some form this year. But the Japanese rider will also be buoyed by news released that he is to move up to MotoGP next year, with a result at Silverstone the perfect way to celebrate.
There are plenty more riders to keep an eye on, too. Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) came fourth last year, Simone Corsi (Speed Up Racing) was in the top ten, and Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team), too – before his awesome form this year. The likes of superfast rookie Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and rising star Xavi Vierge (Tech 3 Racing) can’t be counted out, either.
As well as Kiefer Racing's Tarran MacKenzie, there will be one more Brit on the grid as BSB race winner Jake Dixon steps in to Dynavolt Intact GP to replace the injured Marcel Schrötter – both sure to be crowd favourites.
At Silverstone, the timetable gets a shake up – with the Moto2 race seeing lights out at 14:00 – in GMT +1, or British Summer Time.