Silverstone

The Moto2 race at Silverstone Circuit in Great Britain forms part of the British Grand Prix weekend. This intermediate class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing visits one of the fastest permanent road courses in the world. Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England, provides a challenging test for riders competing in the Moto2 championship.

Silverstone Circuit Characteristics

Silverstone Circuit spans 5.891 kilometers and features 18 corners. The layout includes long straights such as the Hangar Straight and Wellington Straight, which create opportunities for overtaking. Riders navigate high-speed corners including Copse, Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel, Stowe, and Club. At Copse corner, riders can reach around 300 km/h without braking. Maggotts stands as the fastest turn, taken at approximately 300 km/h.

The current circuit configuration opened in 2011 and incorporates the Arena infield section. This addition includes Village, the Loop, and Aintree corners, which bring more technical elements to the layout. The Silverstone Wing building serves as the main facility. The circuit can accommodate between 150,000 and 164,000 spectators.

Race Format and Schedule

The Moto2 race at Silverstone follows the standard Grand Prix format. Friday features two 40-minute free practice sessions, followed by an afternoon practice session that determines entry to Qualifying 2. Riders who finish outside the top fourteen in combined practice results compete in a 15-minute Q1 session. The four fastest riders from Q1 advance to Q2, which runs for 15 minutes and determines the top eighteen grid positions.

The race covers approximately 100 kilometers. Points go to the top 15 finishers on a scale of 25, 20, 16, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point. The Moto2 warm-up session no longer takes place, as it was removed with the introduction of sprint racing for the MotoGP class.

Teams and Riders for 2026

The Moto2 field includes multiple teams and constructors. Boscoscuro, Forward, and Kalex supply chassis to various teams. Several rider changes have been confirmed for the season. Tony Arbolino joins Fantic Racing after leaving Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Racing. Sergio García and Alonso López move to Italjet Gresini Moto2. Elf Marc VDS Racing Team fields a new lineup with Arón Canet and Deniz Öncü.

Other riders expected to compete include Izan Guevara, Celestino Vietti, David Alonso, and Manuel González. The full grid features a mix of experienced competitors and rising talent.

Technical Specifications

Engine and Power

All Moto2 riders use the same engine. Triumph has supplied the exclusive three-cylinder 765cc engine since 2019. These engines produce around 140 horsepower. This standard engine specification emphasizes rider skill over manufacturer advantages.

Chassis and Components

Teams can select from different chassis manufacturers, as the championship imposes no specific chassis limitations. This allows constructors to innovate while keeping costs manageable. All teams use a standard electronic management system supplied by the championship promoter.

Tires and Brakes

Pirelli serves as the sole tire supplier for Moto2. Riders receive 8 front and 9 rear tires for each race weekend. Carbon brake discs are prohibited; only steel brake discs are permitted. The combined minimum weight for bike and rider is 217 kg. The motorcycles weigh approximately 150 kg and reach maximum speeds around 295 km/h.

Circuit History and Heritage

Silverstone Circuit began as an RAF bomber station during World War II, operating from 1943 to 1946. The Royal Automobile Club first used the airfield for racing in 1948, hosting the British Grand Prix. The 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was the inaugural race of the new World Championship of Drivers, now known as Formula One. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth attended that race, marking the only time a reigning monarch has attended a British motor race.

The circuit took over the motorcycle British Grand Prix from the Isle of Man TT in 1977, hosting the event until 1986. Safety concerns at the Isle of Man TT prompted the change. After a period at Donington Park, Silverstone returned as the host venue for the British round of the MotoGP series. The circuit received a £5 million refurbishment in 2009 that introduced the Arena section.

Moto2 was introduced in 2010, replacing the 250cc two-stroke class. Since then, the intermediate class has been a regular feature at Silverstone during British Grand Prix weekends.

Notable Features and Facts

The Silverstone layout still follows the outline of the original RAF airfield's three runways, arranged in a triangular pattern. The first informal race at Silverstone in 1947 earned the nickname "Mutton Grand Prix" after one participant hit a sheep on the track.

Several corners take their names from local landmarks. Maggotts refers to Maggotts Moor, while Becketts is named after a nearby chapel dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket. Copse comes from a small wood, and Hangar Straight was originally lined by two aircraft hangars.

Silverstone is one of the fastest circuits in motorcycle racing. The Grand Prix layout contains no truly slow corners, which contributes to high average speeds. When Pirelli became the sole tire supplier for Moto2, average lap times improved by over 0.7 seconds compared to previous seasons at Silverstone.

The Moto2 race at Silverstone offers riders a unique challenge. The combination of high-speed corners and long straights tests both rider courage and technical ability. The fast, flowing nature of the circuit creates close racing and multiple overtaking opportunities throughout the field.