Formula 1
Tackling Silverstone: The differences between F1 and MotoGP
Continuing our series of comparisons between two of motorsport’s top categories: F1 and Moto GP, we take a look at the differences between machin...
Luke Murphy
Published: Aug 24, 2018, 10:09 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Motorsport Blog
Motorsport Blog
Continuing our series of comparisons between two of motorsport’s top categories: F1 and Moto GP, we take a look at the differences between machinery when tackling the Silverstone circuit.
This weekend, MotoGP heads to Silverstone, one of the fastest and most flowing venues on the grand prix motorcycle racing calendar, for the British Grand Prix
Famous sweeping corners like Copse, Stowe and Abbey provide some of the biggest challenges that the riders will face all year, with big rewards on offer for those possessing that extra ounce of bravery to push the limit half a percent further than their rivals.
But if these corners are fast and demanding on two wheels, they are even more awe-inspiring on four – as Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo found out when he achieved a lifelong dream of sampling Formula 1 machinery at Silverstone in 2016.
The three-time MotoGP champion was lucky enough to drive Lewis Hamilton’s 2014 title-winning Mercedes W05 at the famous Northamptonshire track in a test organised by mutual sponsor Monster Energy, and the Spaniard relished the experience.
“It's one of the things that impresses me most, the cornering speed, the downforce and how much you are able to slow the car at the entry of the corners,” Lorenzo reflected on his experience behind the wheel of the Mercedes F1 machine.
“There were curves at Silverstone that I take on a motorcycle in third gear and in the F1 car they take in in fifth or sixth gears. The one that comes after the back straight [Stowe], we do it in third on a motorbike and in the car I did it in fifth and with almost full gas.
“And then the first corner after the new boxes [Abbey]. There, also in sixth or seventh.”
Lorenzo is just one of a growing number of MotoGP stars who have been handed the chance to try out a Formula 1 car, with Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa getting their first opportunities to sample grand prix machinery this year in Austria.
In June, the Honda teammates were both invited to the Red Bull Ring, which hosted the most recent MotoGP race two weeks ago, and they were put through their paces in a Toro Rosso-branded 2012-spec Red Bull RB8.
But the stop-start nature of the Spielberg track meant Marquez and Pedrosa weren’t able to fully experience the phenomenal cornering speeds that a grand prix car is capable of around a track like Silverstone, where F1 drivers can pull lateral loads of up to 5G around Copse.
“I can imagine that the impression of the F1 driver at Silverstone is amazing,” said Pedrosa. “Especially in the fast chicanes, because I have seen videos of the on-board cameras and I have spoken with [nine-time F1 race winner] Mark Webber.
“There are some corners that we do in second gear and they take in sixth and with almost full throttle.”
By: Jamie Klein
All images: Motorsport Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ricciardo didn't buy Red Bull's Honda praise - Renault
Next article Alonso says he's had six Red Bull offers, seeks Horner apology
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Murphy
Debate: Who was your standout performer in Hockenheim?
Formula 1
Formula 1 Jul 29, 2019
Debate: Who was your standout performer in Hockenheim?
Debate: Did Verstappen deserve a penalty?
Formula 1
Formula 1 Jul 1, 2019
Debate: Did Verstappen deserve a penalty?
Requirements for Ticktum to apply Toro Rosso pressure for 2020
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 6, 2019
Requirements for Ticktum to apply Toro Rosso pressure for 2020
Latest news
Las Vegas GP reveals neon sign-inspired trophy design
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
31 min
Las Vegas GP reveals neon sign-inspired trophy design
IndyCar 2026 season review: Juncos Hollinger Racing
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 34 min
IndyCar 2026 season review: Juncos Hollinger Racing
Indy NXT unveils 15-race 2027 schedule with four doubleheaders
Indy NXT
IndL Indy NXT 39 min
Indy NXT unveils 15-race 2027 schedule with four doubleheaders
Why aerodynamics will become "even more important" under 2027 MotoGP regulations
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
1 h
Why aerodynamics will become "even more important" under 2027 MotoGP regulations
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe