The British Grand Prix is one of the most iconic rounds of the MotoGP calendar, having seen various classic moments throughout the years.
Taking place at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire in the United Kingdom, it is the same place that Formula 1 also holds its British Grand Prix.
Silverstone’s 3.6-mile motorcycle circuit has been the site for the race since the 2010 season, and prior to that, it was held at Donington through the 80s and 90s.
With that in mind, MotoGP News has taken a look at the top five classic moments from the race over the years.
1977 – Barry Sheene ruins Steve Parrish’s chance of winning
The 1977 race was a landmark in the premier 500cc class, as it was the first time the British Grand Prix was not held at the Isle of Man TT circuit.
Riders, including Giacomo Agostini, had branded the track too dangerous for international competition and after many riders boycotted it, the track was scratched from the calendar.
It found a new home at Silverstone, and in 1977, Barry Sheene had qualified on pole in his Suzuki. The Briton had already wrapped up the title, but retired on lap nine with a mechanical problem. That enabled teammate and close friend Steve Parrish to take the lead.
Sheene decided to write a message of encouragement to his friend on his pit board in the form of “Gas it w—-” which Parrish obliged, only to crash out with a few laps to run. American Pat Hennen eventually took the victory.
1997 – Mick Doohan takes fourth consecutive premier class title at Donington
Mick Doohan’s 1997 season was unmatched in the premier class era, with him taking 12 wins out of 14 races. He never finished lower than second place in each of them, showing just how dominant it was for the Australian.
There was no stopping him by the time they reached Donington for the eleventh round, with Doohan taking his eighth consecutive pole. The Australian would face pressure from Japan’s Tadayuki Okada throughout the race, but he managed to hold him off to win the race.
The victory sealed the title in 1997 for Doohan, which happened to be his fourth in a row in the premier class.
2000 – Valentino Rossi wins first race in premier class at Donington
The 2000 season was a coming of age year for Valentino Rossi, with the Italian taking his first podium in the premier class at the Spanish Grand Prix with Honda.
Later in the season he would earn his first victory in the premier class at Donington, after coming through the field from fourth on the grid.
The Italian closed on Irish rider Jeremy McWilliams in the closing stages, who was suffering from tyre problems in his Aprilia. Coming up to the Melbourne hairpin, Rossi makes a move for the lead and outbrakes him, finishing the move exiting the corner.
With two laps to go, Rossi just needed to keep it on the tarmac, which he did to take the first of his 89 career victories.
2015 – Valentino Rossi wins record eighth British Grand Prix
Rossi hadn’t won the British Grand Prix since it was last held in Donington in 2005, so he was going for another victory.
Taking the lead and battling with Marc Marquez in the rain early in the race, the pair exchanged positions before Marquez crashed out at Copse corner.
Rossi would take the lead of the race and wouldn’t look back, taking his eighth and final win on British soil while title rival Jorge Lorenzo was in fourth place.
2019 – Alex Rins battles with Marc Marquez in classic
Marquez was pretty much unstoppable throughout the 2019 season, but he would face a challenge from Alex Rins at the British round.
Marquez led for most of the race from pole, but the fellow Spaniard was right there behind him. On the final lap of the race, it looked like Marquez had done enough for the win.
But coming out of Luffield, Rins carried more speed, which set him up for a move through Woodcote on Marquez. The pair managed to emerge from the corners unscathed, with Rins going on to win the race and take his second victory of the season.
