Corner by corner: What makes Silverstone the scene of so many memorable MotoGP battles?

Silverstone’s high-speed layout is not only a unique challenge for the world’s greatest riders, but also provides ample overtaking opportunities generating thrilling battles for trackside fans to enjoy.  

A gruelling test of a rider’s abilities, MotoGP races at this circuit present tests of both physical endurance and mental bravery when approaching corners at 180mph, and that is reflected in the number of different winners over the past decade.  

READ MORE: MotoGP on cloud nine: nine different winners from nine British Grands Prix

Two-wheeled racing at Silverstone is undoubtedly a spectacle, but what makes the layout a favourite among fans and riders alike? The corners that comprise the circuit’s 5.8km configuration are predominantly fast sweeping bends that the riders enjoy, while a peppering of slower speed turns provide the conditions necessary for crowd-pleasing duels.

Abbey 

Opening a lap of Silverstone on a MotoGP bike is a daunting prospect, as you are propelled from the Hamilton Straight into an ultra-fast esses section at Abbey and Farm Curve. Abbey itself is a right-hander that feeds into the equally intimidating left at Farm.

With a superior run away from the line or out of the final corner, Turn 1 can become a suitable – albeit dramatic – overtaking opportunity as we saw in 2015 when Valentino Rossi took third from Marc Márquez en route to a famous wet weather victory.

Village and The Loop

The first big braking event has produced countless overtakes through the years. The slow-speed right-hander of Village feeds directly into an even slower left-hand hairpin at The Loop.

The nature of these two corners means riders are often passed into Village but can then cut back and are able to repass into The Loop, as was the case in 2022 when Maverick Viñales and Francesco Bagnaia swapped positions, the latter eventually taking victory.

Among the other high-profile battles that have played out at these corners over the years include Rossi taking the lead from Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo in 2015 at Village, and Márquez getting his elbows out while passing Rossi for fourth at The Loop during the 2016 Grand Prix.

Luffield 

Following on from the Wellington Straight and Brooklands corner, the long right-hander at Luffield seemingly goes on forever. The elongated angle of this turn allows for multiple lines and apexes, making it a perfect place to dive to the inside of your rival.

Perhaps the most famous overtake here was as a battle for the ages reached its crescendo in 2013; on the last lap, Lorenzo produced a race-winning overtake on the inside of rookie sensation Marc Marquez at Luffield, to snatch victory in the dying moments of the race.

A good exit from Luffield can change the fate of a race, as Alex Rins famously found out at Woodcote in the 2019 Grand Prix, crossing the line to win just 0.013 seconds ahead of Márquez.

Maggotts and Becketts

The Maggots and Becketts sequence is one revered by the international motorsport community, and is no less special on two wheels. The left-right-left-right is taken at a blistering pace and, for the bravest of riders, can be used as an overtaking spot to catch your rivals unawares.

The 2023 British Grand Prix MotoGP protagonists Francesco Bagnaia and Aleix Espargaró took the lead at the start and end of the race respectively with overtakes into Maggots, the latter with a sensational race-winning move on the last lap.

READ MORE: Aleix Espargaró wins MotoGP British Grand Prix in last lap Silverstone thriller

Vale and Club 

Slowing the pace down once more to round out the lap are Vale and Club. A 90-degree left-hander at Vale feeds directly into the elongated, double-apexed right-hander at Club.

Although this sequence has seen many an opportunistic lunge over the years, another memorable moment came just two years ago when Johann Zarco crashed out of the lead of the race at Vale.

The best corners to watch the 2024 British Grand Prix MotoGP – what access does my ticket give me? 

Now you know where all the action unfolds, you may find yourself wondering which of these corners is best to watch from. Well, they are all great options, and the best part is you don’t have to choose between them! Many of Silverstone’s grandstands are roving during the MotoGP race weekend:

General Admission 

• On the Friday of the race weekend, General Admission ticket holders can access the following grandstands: Abbey B, Club Corner, Hamilton A, International Paddock, Luffield.
• On Saturday and Sunday, General Admission ticket holders can use these grandstands: Abbey A, Hamilton B, Vale, Village A.

General Admission Plus

• Friday General Admission Plus ticket holders will have roving grandstand access to the following: Abbey B, Club Corner, Hamilton A, International Paddock, Luffield
• General Admission Plus tickets for Saturday and Sunday will grant access to these grandstands: Becketts, Woodcote A. Plus Abbey A, Hamilton B, Vale, Village A.

TICKETS: Secure your spot for the MotoGP 2024 British Grand Prix