2012 Silverstone MotoGP FP3 Result: Stoner Tops Crash-Filled Session

Casey Stoner topped the final session of free practice for the MotoGP class at Silverstone, in a session that was marked by tricky conditions and some big crashes. Stoner took over top spot from Jorge Lorenzo towards the end of FP3, going on to put more time into the Spaniard on his last lap of the session. Lorenzo took 2nd, just ahead of factory Yamaha teammate Ben Spies, the Texan continuing to have a strong weekend at Silverstone. Andrea Dovizioso ended the session in 4th, just ahead of Alvaro Bautista, the San Carlo Gresini Honda rider also putting in a strong performance this weekend.

Dani Pedrosa set the 6th fastest time, over a second behind his Repsol Honda teammate and just fractionally ahead of a trio of Ducatis headed up by Nicky Hayden. Hector Barbera sits in 8th, while Valentino Rossi is once again the slowest of the factory prototypes, setting the 9th fastest time some 2.6 seconds behind Casey Stoner, and six tenths ahead of Randy de Puniet, who rounds out the top ten on the Power Electronics Aprilia ART machine.

Conditions out on track were very tricky, however. Spots of rain had made the track treacherous in parts, catching out a number of  riders. Valentino Rossi was lucky to come away unscathed after almost losing the front under braking, running off into the gravel, but Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl were less lucky, both having big tumbles. Both men escaped with relatively unhurt: Cal Crutchlow suffered a sprained ankle, while Bradl banged up his ring finger. Bradl  should be able to take part in qualifying this afternoon, but Crutchlow has been taken to hospital for further examination. If Crutchlow does miss qualifying, he could still race, as he has already posted a time within the 107% time limit this weekend.

Result: