Silverstone (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) clinched his fifth victory of the MotoGP season at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his lead in the world championship to 65 points.
Quartararo also benefits from the poor performances of his rivals, the Spaniard Joan Mir (Suzuki), 9th, the French Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), 11th, and the Italian Franco Bagnaia (Ducati), 14th.
In the drivers' standings, Mir is now 2nd at 65 lengths, Zarco 3rd at 69 and Bagnaia 4th at 70, with another 6 or 7 GP to play depending on what the Covid-19 pandemic will allow.
The Spaniard Alex Rins (Suzuki), 2nd at 2 sec 663/1000, signs his first podium of the season.
Her compatriot Aleix Espargaro, 3rd at 4 sec 105/1000, gave Aprilia her first podium since her return to the category in 2015.
The Australian Jack Miller (Ducati) and the Spaniard Pol Espargaro (Honda), who started from pole position, complete the Top 5.
The future Italian retiree Valentino Rossi (Yamaha-SRT) finished in a disappointing 18th place, while he was 8th on the starting grid.
Spaniard Marc Marquez (Honda) retired after a crash in the first lap.
At Yamaha, Briton Cal Crutchlow (17th), full-time MotoGP player until last year and now test rider for the Japanese manufacturer, replaces Spaniard Maverick Vinales, whose contract was terminated before its end. .
At Yamaha-SRT, another Briton usually evolving in Moto2, Jake Dixon (19th and last), replaces the Italian Franco Morbidelli, convalescing after a knee operation at the end of June.
Italy's Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia), who tried to make his comeback on Friday after being operated on for a broken right ankle in early August, has withdrawn.
The next round, the Grand Prix of Aragon in Spain, is scheduled for September 12.
© 2021 AFP