MotoGP Silverstone: Bezzecchi ‘targeting points’ after record lap

Despite being a MotoGP rookie, Marco Bezzecchi ran under the Silverstone lap record on Saturday on his way to seventh in Silverstone qualifying.

The 1’58.168 all-time lap record, set by Marc Marquee in 2019, was in fact broken by eight riders in total during the lightning quick Q2 session ahead of the British Grand Prix and while the majority were premier class big hitters and race winners, Bezzecchi joined the fray on only his 12th weekend on the Mooney VR46 Ducati.

While the Italian has already shown glimmers of excellence already this season, most notably his front row start for his home Grand Prix at Mugello back in May, the vast circuit layout of Silverstone can be a challenge for even the most experienced in the field.

“I’m happy, it was a good one,” Bezzecchi said on Saturday evening. “Qualifying one was important to have the chance to pass through qualifying two because we know that the grid position now is very important.

“I was in a good lap, I met some traffic but fortunately I had the time to make one more lap and I was alone and be able to go quite fast even if the tyre was not the best. Fortunately, I managed to pass on the last second and this was good. Then in the second one [Q2], was much better with the new tyre and I was able to make a good lap and this gave me the seventh position, which is very good.

“The first two rows are very, very fast. I think they are a step faster than me, of course but my target is not to fight for the win, so I’m happy.

“My target, honestly, is always to get points,” he continued. “If I’m able to get a top ten, can be very good. Because here is very difficult with the tyre management. In these conditions, still I have not so much experience but I will try my best to save the