“I’m happy with our performance today, especially in qualifying, and in the Sprint I did everything I could.

“The pace was extremely fast; I knew that the Ducati boys would improve for the race, but I never expected that much! I was really on the limit, there was nothing more I could have done.

“But it was a nice race and, hopefully, tomorrow with he medium rear tyre we can push even more.”

Bastianini brings it home with about a second of an advantage at the front. Martin is second, meaning the championship lead just remains with Bagnaia, and Espargaro completes the podium.

Bastianini now looks in a comfortable lead with Martin admitting that second is it today. He has a small buffer to Espargaro and, baring disaster, the race looks decided.

M Marquez too exists the race with a front end wash-out – his bike folds at Turn 16.

Around half a second – and growing – now separates Bastianini and Martin. Espargaro doesn’t look to have anything to offer at the moment.

So far, Martin can’t answer and Bastianini holds first with the smallest of buffers.

Bastianini launches an attack on Martin and the Pramac rider counters and the duo exchange punches. Martin holds firm for the moment, but Bastianini is relentless and makes a move stick after all.

Espargaro is now the fastest of the top three and closing in on Bastianini. The top three now have just under three seconds over the rest of the field.

will broadcast every MotoGP race, from the season opener in Qatar to the final race in Valencia on November 17.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is , where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Front end wash-out for Bagnaia. Nothing he can do as his front tyre folds at Turn 4 and he goes down and out.

The gaps between the top four are gradually decreasing again. They currently hold a healthy lead over M Marquez in fifth thou – it looks like a four-horse race for the top.

Martin holds the lead and only Bastianini is able to match his pace. A half second gap is opening to Espargaro who, in turn, has a bit of a buffer to Bagnaia.

Binder launches a move on Bagnaia for fourth but can’t make it stick. Instead, he makes contact with Acosta and aero goes flying. M Marquez capitalises to slot past them both into fifth.

Bagnaia barges a way past Espargaro’s inside to take the lead into Turn 1. However, it’s Martin who has the best get-away and pulls off a move past both to take the lead at Turn 3.

Bastianini too is in excellent form early on and moves up into second.

The riders are out on the Silverstone Circuit for their warm-up lap.

It’s 21 degrees Celsius in Silverstone with track temperatures in the mid 30s.

Everyone has opted for a soft rear tyre, but there is a mix of front tyre choices on the grid. The majority looks to have opted for the medium compound, but Esparago left the box on hard while Marc Marquez swapped from soft to hard. No confirmed tyre sheet yet though.

Jorge Martin started the Grand Prix in outstanding fashion by topping Friday practice and is on the best way to make up for his crash last time out at the German Grand Prix:

“Perfection is difficult to achieve. But I felt really good. Straight away in the morning I felt good and we kept the same bike for the evening. Then we had some issues and tried to change things a bit. But overall, I felt good in terms of pace, in terms of time attack. Let’s see if we can keep the speed and the distance to our rivals.

“I feel in a really good form at the Moment; I feel I am able to do a lot of laps at the same lap time, trying to be really consistent, and I feel really good physically.”

“[Being fastest on Friday] 100 per cent helps a lot [to put the crash at the German GP behind]. It was difficult to come back after the holidays – I was really good at the beach! – but now we are here and the best way to start is being first. For sure, there are no doubts for the rest of the weekend.”

Francesco Bagnaia dominated the series in the last couple of Grand Prix and indeed went into the summer break as championship leader. The title defender is ready to keep this trend going in Silverstone:

“It was good to have a bit of a break after the German GP.

“I love the layout [at Silverstone]. It’s one of the nicest for sure, it’s very long and very smooth, not very bumpy, so it’s one of the greatest. This season we will discover a new weather because it has never been this hot. But I think we can enjoy it.”

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Aleix Espargaro delivered a stunning record lap to secure pole position at Silverstone, two tenths ahead of Francesco Bagnaia. Enea Bastianini completes the front row while Jorge Martin will start from the top of the second row.

• 1. Aleix Espargaro
• 2. Francesco Bagnaia
• 3. Enea Bastianini
• 4. Jorge Martin
• 5. Alex Marquez
• 6. Brad Binder
• 7. Marc Marquez
• 8. Maverick Vinales
• 9. Pedro Acosta

Good afternoon and thank you for joining our live text coverage of the British GP Sprint. The summer break is finally over and MotoGP is roaring back into action at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. Last time out, Francesco Bagnaia took the championship lead off Jorge Martin in a dramatic race. Now facing a 10-points deficit, the Pramac rider will be determined to clinch it back sooner rather than later. Can he do it right here in Great Britain? We’re about to find out!