Honda's Marquez, who hurt his shoulder in the morning warm-up and had to be taken by ambulance to the circuit's medical centre, maintained his lead at the top of the overall standings.

The 20-year-old MotoGP debutant had won the previous four Grand Prix and leads Honda teammate Pedrosa by 30 points, with Yamaha's Lorenzo a further nine points adrift with six races left in the 18-race season.

Fourth-placed Italian Valentino Rossi, a seven-time world champion, is a distant 77 points off the leader having also finished fourth on Sunday.

Marquez was penalised two points for a dangerous move during the warm-up but still increased his championship lead. "Given the circumstances, it's gone well for me where the standings are concerned," said Marquez.

The lead at Silverstone changed hands regularly between pole-sitter Marquez and Lorenzo, who only made the final decisive move a few turns from the finish.

Pedrosa was largely a spectator in the leaders' battle, following closely in third, but not closely enough to make a pass. "I really deserved this victory," said Lorenzo. "I fought like I'd rarely done before in order to get it. "This success has relaunched me for the season run-in. Even though Marc is in the best position, many things can still happen."

Lorenzo had not won a Grand Prix since the middle of June at Catalonia. (AFP)