M2: British GP: Marc VDS Racing race report

FANTASTIC FOURTH FOR REDDING AT SILVERSTONE

The Marc VDS Racing Team's Scott Redding took a fantastic fourth place at this afternoon's British Grand Prix, only missing out on a podium finish by the narrowest of margins. Hector Faubel was unfortunate to crash out of the race on the penultimate lap as he and four other riders fell victim to spilt fluid on the track surface.

Starting from 12th place on the grid, Redding was baulked at the start by more than one rival, dropping him down to 17th place at the first corner. The 17-year-old Briton started an immediate fight back, forcing his way through the field to latch onto the six-rider group fighting for the lead at the halfway stage.

For the second half of the race Redding continually tried to push his way through the leading group, which included former World Champion, Thomas Luthi, and the reigning 125cc World Champion, Julian Simon, but was unable to find a way past his more experienced rivals. Claudio Corti's crash with two laps left to run elevated Redding to fourth place, which he held to the chequered flag. The 13 points gained today mean Redding moves up to 13th place in the Moto2 championship standings.

Hector Faubel struggled to fight his way through the field today, after a technical problem with his Suter MMX machine during qualifying left him down on the eighth row of the grid for the race. The Spaniard battled throughout the race, but then crashed out with just two laps remaining. Faubel was just one of four riders who fell victim to what looked like oil leaking from another competitor's engine throughout the 18 lap race.

Scott Redding #45: 4th

"It was a tough start to the race, I got hit from the left, the right and the rear going into turn one, which pushed me well out wide. After that it was just a case of getting my head down, giving it full gas and just seeing how many places I could claw back. I was taking a few chances, but I managed to fight my way back up to the battle for the lead with only a few scary moments on the way. Once I'd tagged onto the battle I just gave it everything I had, but I just couldn't get close enough to Simon and Luthi to try and put in a pass. So, I missed out on a podium finish today, but I'm happy with the result as it's what the team deserve after all their hard work this season. I hope the fans here at Silverstone enjoyed it because I certainly did!"

Hector Faubel #55: DNF

"It was hard today. Starting from so far back on the grid was always going to be difficult, but it was only in the race I realised just how tricky it is to make up places from the back of the grid. My lap times were good on a clear track, similar to those of the leaders, but I was being slowed every time I came up behind a group and had to look for a way past. Then, right at the end of the race, I was braking for a turn and the front just went from under me. A group of riders also fell in the same place, so I think there was oil or something on the track. It's disappointing, but now I want to focus on bouncing back at Assen next weekend."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager

"I'm happy for Scott and also for the team today. Scott did a fantastic job here at Silverstone. He didn't get the best of starts, but he rode brilliantly to catch the group battling for the lead. He couldn't quite find a way past the likes of Simon and Luthi, but he should be proud of the fact that he was up there and battling with two World Champions. Hopefully this result will kick start his season and we'll see him challenging for the podium from now on. I feel sorry for Hector. It was always going to be a hard race starting from near the back of the grid but he looked to be on for a solid finish before he crashed on the penultimate lap. He was just one of a group of riders who crashed at the same time and in the same place, so there was obviously something on the circuit. I hope he will have better luck next time out in Assen."

-source: marc vds