Bautista and Gresini Honda MotoGP squad content with frontrunning pace at Silverstone

So far this year Gresini and new rider Bautista have struggled to recapture the form shown by the Spaniard's predecessor, the late Marco Simoncelli, in 2011.

But at Silverstone Bautista took advantage of changing weather conditions to claim his maiden MotoGP pole, and then stayed with the lead group in the race and finished just five seconds behind winner Jorge Lorenzo in fourth.

"It has been a great weekend and it has confirmed the progress we have made since Catalunya," said Bautista. "I am so happy to finish so close to the podium.

"Maybe I could have attacked for third at the end but it would have been risky and I just wanted to run with them to the end and not make mistakes. We have brought home some big points for the championship which was important for me and the team.

"On pole and just five seconds off the win - that is a very positive weekend and I hope we can continue from here.

"Our objective now is to take another step forward and run with the front guys on a more consistent basis."

Team boss Fausto Gresini praised Bautista for aiming for a sensible finish rather than trying any risky moves on the leaders.

"It was wonderful to see Alvaro fighting at the front throughout the race," he said. "It was the first time he has battled with these guys, he was careful not to make mistakes and he did a great job.

"Running at the front of this pack will also give us great data."