Suzuki hopes fifth is springboard

After a very tough start to the year, when Bautista suffered a badly broken leg in a practice crash in Qatar, the team finally got back in the top five in today's wet British Grand Prix.

Team boss Paul Denning was delighted with how Bautista had handled the conditions, and hopes the result can be a springboard to better form for the rest of the year.

"Alvaro did a good job today, and so did the whole team to give him a bike to provide him with the confidence to push in today's horrendous conditions," said Denning.

"He was careful on the first few laps, where it was so easy to make a mistake, as there was a lot more standing water than in the practice and this morning's warm-up. Once he found his rhythm his pace and consistency were both excellent and he had the right balance between speed and an accident!

"It's been a tough start to the season, but now we are starting to see the potential that Alvaro was showing before his accident and we are looking forward to the next race at Assen, where we are sure he will be even stronger."

Bautista agreed that this was the best he had felt since his accident, and praised Suzuki for its support while he was getting back on form.

"I have to say thank you to my team, they have so much passion for what they do and have helped me get back to my maximum level," he said.

"With all their help, this has been the first race that I have been able to feel competitive since the injury and I was nearer my limit than I have been all season."