Silverstone MotoGP qualifying

18:01 That's it for a thrilling qualifying at Silverstone - one certainly worth the wait.

We will be back tomorrow for more live MotoGP action, but until then, thank you very much for joining us.

17:59

17:58 Smith dragged his KTM to eighth on the grid, making this the Austrian marque's best qualifying of the year by some margine.

17:57 Marquez could only muster fifth this afternoon. That is his worst Saturday results since he qualified in the middle of row two at Jerez. It is worth noting, though, he did go on to dominate the Jerez race.

17:56 Both Ducati riders were split by just 0.159s in the end. Zarco only two tenths from pole.

17:55 Home hero Cructhlow will start fourth ahead of Marquez and Petrucci. Row three is made up of Iannone, Smith and Miller, while Rins, Vinales and Rossi complete the top 12.

17:53 Lorenzo takes pole at Silverstone with a 2m10.155s from Ducati teammate Dovisioso. Zarco snatches third at the death.

17:51 Rossi has taken the chequered flag and is only 11th. He left pitlane too late. Lorenzo goes top by 0.159s.

17:50 Dovi goes fastest with a 2m10.314s and is almost a second clear.

17:49 Zarco, Crutchlow, Lorenzo is your current top three, but Smith is on a flier.

17:48 Miller goes onto his flying lap on slicks and is up throgh sector one, but runs on at Stowe.

17:47 But Zarco usurps him by 0.175s.

17:47 Crutchlow top.

17:46

17:46 This could be a masterstroke from the Pramac man - he did this in Argentina to perfect effect.

17:45 Miller has gone onto slicks.

17:45 Marquez misses Lorenzo's time by 0.008s.

17:44 Lorenzo takes over top spot with a 2m12.001s, Miller second, Zarco third.

17:42 Smith and Crutchlow have returned to pitlane, while Zarco has gone second with a 2m12.524s.

17:42 Miller goes top now with a 2m12.173s, heading a Ducati trio of Dovizioso and Petrucci. Smith back to fourth.

17:41

17:41 Smith has a clear advantage in this session as he knows the conditions from Q1. Marquez 1.7s behind in second, Miller third.

17:40 Smith sets the early pace at 2m12.894s, while Vinales has bailed at the end of his first flying lap. He was one of only two on soft wet rear.

17:36 Most out of the medium front and rear wet tyres, Vinales and Crutchlow on the soft wet rear. Track is definitely wetter in the first half of the lap.

17:35 Iannone has stalled his Suzuki at pit exit, but has gotten going.

17:35 Q2 is (finally) GO!

17:31 New shcedule - Q2 is due to get underway in four minutes. We hope.

17:29 Start delayed... again.

17:26 Safety car has gone on track for a look at conditions. We are still due for a start in four minutes.

17:24

17:23 Rabat has been taken to hospital with suspected leg injuries. He will not race tomorrow.

17:22

17:22 This delay has brought with it an unwelcome friend - the rain has returned, and all over the circuit this time apparently.

17:19

17:18 Rather novel way of keeping warm by Crutchlow - lying underneath a tyre warmer.

17:15 Q2 is set to start at 1530.

17:12 Q1 pacesetter Smith revealed his 2019 plans on Friday, with test roles at Aprilia and Yamaha his options

Bradley Smith now weighing up Aprilia, Yamaha MotoGP test positions

Bradley Smith has confirmed he is looking at test rider roles with Aprilia and Yamaha for 2019 and says he wants to make five MotoGP wildcard appearances next year

17:09 Pole has been shared by seven different riders this year. Marquez has four to his credit [USA, Netherlands, Germany, Austria], Rossi one [Italy], Dovizioso one [Czech Republic], Lorenzo one [Barcelona], Crutchlow one [Spain], Zarco two [Qatar and France], Miller one [Argentina].

17:01 The call came very late. Dovizioso and Vinales had to ride back up pitlane. "Safety conditions" is the official reason for the further delay.

17:00 Q2 start has been delayed.