Marquez fastest in red-flagged MotoGP FP1 after suffering big turn two crash

Marc Marquez topped a dramatic MotoGP FP1 at Silverstone after suffering a huge turn two crash late on which brought out a red flag. 

Fabio Quartararo set an impressive early pace as he went two seconds clear of Marquez on his first flying lap, however, as riders settled into their rhythm Marquez responded by going fastest. 

Repsol Honda team-mate Pol Espargaro also showed early pace by moving into second spot, while Marquez improved again to set the first sub 2m 2s lap of the weekend. 

The times continued to improve as Quartararo, Johann Zarco and Aleix Espargaro all went quickest momentarily, before Marquez went back to the top of the leaderboard. 

As riders began heading down pit lane following their opening stints, Alex Marquez stayed out but became the first rider to crash. 

As expected, it was a tentative and slow opening few laps for Jake Dixon on his MotoGP debut. But the Brit soon began to find his feet and went 20th ahead of Cal Crutchlow and less than three seconds off Marquez’ top time. 

Marquez continued to show stunning form at the front as he then went under the 2m 1s barrier. 

But with just under three minutes to go, Jorge Martin suffered a turn 12 crash, moments before Marquez had a massive off. 

The eight-time world champion lost the front heading into turn 2 before sliding across the grass and back onto the track. The Spaniard was back on his feet immediately which was good to see, while the RC213V was completely wrecked.

Aleix Espargaro went second fastest shortly before the red flag came out, while Quartararo finished third. 

Pol Espargaro was fourth, one spot ahead of Jack Miller in fifth. Takaaki Nakagami was sixth quickest for LCR Honda, while Alex Rins, Francesco Bagnaia, Zarco and Alex MArquez rounded out the top ten.