‘We’ll get a dramatic race’ – MotoGP to return with a bang at ‘gem’ of British motorsport Silverstone – Suzi Perry

The MotoGP Championship fight could be blown further open when Silverstone, “the gem in the crown of British motorsport”, hosts the British Grand Prix, says Suzi Perry.

The best riders in the world return to action this weekend following the summer break, with the battle to be crowned champion still wide open.

TNT Sports expert Perry believes that anything could happen at Silverstone, where there have been eight different race winners in the last eight years.

“Silverstone is the gem in the crown of British motorsport,” she said.

“It’s the most incredible circuit, it’s one of the fastest and longest on our calendar.

“We’ve had some tremendous moments over the years and I’m sure we’re going to get some more this weekend.”

Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) leads the championship standings after eight races with 194 points and took first place at the British GP last year.

But Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac) and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46) aren’t far behind on 159 and 158 points respectively – and Perry doesn’t think the contenders end there.

“We can only really go off what we’ve seen so far in the previous eight races,” she said.

“Of course, there’s been a summer break since then. Francesco Bagnaia was spectacular at Silverstone last year and I think he’ll probably be spectacular again.

“I just hope some of the other manufacturers have made some changes and KTM may be able to take the fight to Ducati.

“I think we’ll get a dramatic race anyway. We start the race in a slightly different place because we’re on the international wing. That could have an effect as well, particularly on Turn 1.”

She continued: “I think we’ll have a good run in the championship. There is less than a weekend’s worth of points between first and second, and Bezzecchi is only one point behind Jorge Martin so it’s quite tight.

“I would put Brad Binder in the mix as well, because if KTM could just have a few more good weekends, you never know what Brad’s going to do.

“I think we’ll have some other race winners who will change the landscape of the championship. Enea Bastianini is back to full fitness for the first time this year, he could go well at Silverstone and moving forward.

“As long as the Ducatis let all the Ducatis fight, we’re in for a good Championship.”

Perry also discussed possible additions to the MotoGP grid for next season.

Moto2GP Championship leader Tony Arbolino and second-placed Pedro Acosta are potential candidates to take a seat in 2024.

But Perry believes it is more important than ever for a British rider like Jake Dixon, currently third in the Moto2GP standings, to take the step up and help grow the sport in the UK, with no British riders currently on the top-class grid.

“[Arbolino and Costa] would be amazing additions to the grid but I would prefer Jake Dixon. We’re British, we want a British rider in there,” she said.

“He’s just won a race in Assen before the summer break. It would be fantastic if he could do it again at Silverstone.

“Ultimately, it’s not down to that now. It’s down to politics, it’s down to money, it’s down to teams, to conversations that are being had.

“Pedro Costa is an incredible rider, Tony Arbolino has had a great season so far, both would be good additions. But we’re looking at another Italian rider and another Spanish rider – we need a British rider.

“To grow the championship, you need to have a personal interest. I love motorbike racing so I can watch anybody and appreciate, because I’m something of a purist.

“But if you’re trying to bring in new fans, they want to look at someone and think ‘I could do that’. For British fans, they need to see British riders doing well. Jake is doing well, but we want to see him doing well at the top class.”

The Sprint race takes place at 15:00 UK time on Saturday, while the Grand Prix race is at 13:00 on Sunday.