Marc Marquez was left stunned after a late crash ended his promising British Grand Prix sprint. The six-time champion had recovered from a disappointing qualifying to challenge for a top-five finish, but a sudden front-end loss on the penultimate lap dashed his hopes.
Despite opting for the harder front tire for improved race-end performance, Marquez suffered a surprise loss of pressure, leading to the crash. The Spaniard expressed his frustration at the unexpected incident, as he had been feeling increasingly confident on the bike.
Enea Bastianini’s daring ride propelled him to victory in the Silverstone sprint, edging out Jorge Martin and pole-sitter Aleix Espargaro. His triumph significantly boosted his championship hopes, closing the gap to third-placed Marc Marquez.
However, Marquez, despite acknowledging his mathematical chances, maintains a realistic view of his title prospects, citing consistent pace deficits compared to the leading trio of Bagnaia, Martin, and the resurgent Bastianini.
Marquez’s strategy revolves around damage control, aiming to minimize point losses while capitalizing on rivals’ errors, a precarious approach given the intense competition.