Image: Supplied.

A breakout first-career Moto2 grand prix victory for Senna Agius came unexpectedly at Silverstone on Sunday, the Australian teenager delivering on his promise in the world championship in a sublime performance.

Starting fifth, the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP rider launched to third by the opening corner and immediately established himself in the group of front-runners at the British GP.

In a race defined by relentless overtakes and heavy gusts that slowed lap times, Agius showed poise and maturity, holding his nerve in the slipstream battles before timing a last-lap move to perfection.

“I’m super-happy, but to be honest, I didn’t expect this,” Agius commented. “Every time I got to the front, I’d get passed on the straights. It was a really physical race, but I tried to come up with a plan, and it paid off.”

That plan involved first clearing Diogo Moreira, before closing down Aron Canet and David Alonso. Then, in a thrilling final sector, Agius committed to a daring pass on the inside of the last corner to edge out both rivals and claim a sensational debut win.

“I tried to come up with a strategic plan,” continued the 19-year-old. “First, I overtook Moreira and I knew I had to push to get close to Alonso and Canet. I was able to close the gap straight away in the first sector and tried to do my best on the back straight, and saw Canet when he was on the inside.

“I knew that corner was coming faster than you think, and when I went wide myself, I almost lost the front, but in the last corner, I was on the inside. When I crossed the line, I started crying – I stopped in turn one and looked up to the sky. I thought of my grandfather, who passed away and helped get me to Europe. This one’s for him, and for my team, who’ve believed in me from the beginning.”

The unexpected nature of the victory extended throughout the garage due to the ultra-challenging dynamics of the 17-lap race, however, team manager for the outfit, Jurgen Lingg, heaped praise on his emerging talent after the chequered flag.

“We knew that he would be there in the race, but we didn’t expect him to win his first grand prix today, even though we were hoping for a strong result,” reflected Lingg. “We haven’t really realised it yet, because Senna is something very special for us. We saw him at some point in Spain and were convinced by him from the very first moment.

“So, we said to ourselves that we would start the project with him, because he has something special and potential. Today, he confirmed it very impressively. Congratulations once again on his masterful performance today.”

The result launches Agius to sixth in the Moto2 World Championship standings with 64 points as the season heads to Aragon, Spain, for round eight on June 6-8.