Race
Moto2 2026
Round 20
Disappointing Qatar GP Race as Furusato Crashes and Aji Finishes P22
Lusail International CircuitIDEMITSU Honda Team Asia endured a difficult end to the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, with neither of its Moto2 riders able to score points under the lights at Lusail International Circuit. Taiyo Furusato was forced to retire after crashing in the second part of the race while fighting inside the points-scoring positions. The Japanese rookie had shown encouraging pace throughout the weekend and was in contention for a points finish before his mistake brought his race to an early end.
On the other side of the garage, Mario Suryo Aji crossed the finish line in P22 after a challenging race. The Indonesian rider made a good start and initially ran close behind Furusato, around the edge of the points-scoring positions. However, he gradually lost contact with the group ahead and was unable to maintain his early-race pace, eventually finishing outside the points.
It was a disappointing Sunday for the team, which leaves Qatar without a points reward. Attention now turns to the final two rounds of the 2026 season, with the championship returning to Europe for the Portuguese Grand Prix in two weeks, followed by the season finale in Valencia. Both riders will be looking to reset, address the difficulties encountered in Qatar and finish the campaign on a stronger note.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It has been a difficult race, and it is hard to accept the result we have achieved today. Taiyo was fighting inside the top 15, in the points-scoring positions, and his pace was quite good. Unfortunately, he made a small mistake and crashed on lap 11. He is okay, which is the most important thing, but having consecutive crashes during the races is certainly not what we want. We are very disappointed.
Mario also made a good start and was running around P16, just behind Taiyo. However, after that, he gradually dropped back. Once he lost contact with the group, he didn't have the pace to stay with them, and he eventually finished quite far behind. Overall, it was a very disappointing result for both riders.
They need to improve and show that improvement on track. I believe there are things they need to address on their side, and they must recognise them, learn from these experiences and work on themselves. Otherwise, we will continue to face the same situation, and that is not what we are here for. We are here to compete, to win and to improve, and we need to see progress.
I would like to thank all the team members for continuing to give their best, as well as our sponsors and supporters. Although we are disappointed, we will keep working hard and try to turn things around in Portugal. Hopefully, we can have a different story at the next round.
It has been a difficult race, and it is hard to accept the result we have achieved today. Taiyo was fighting inside the top 15, in the points-scoring positions, and his pace was quite good. Unfortunately, he made a small mistake and crashed on lap 11. He is okay, which is the most important thing, but having consecutive crashes during the races is certainly not what we want. We are very disappointed.
Mario also made a good start and was running around P16, just behind Taiyo. However, after that, he gradually dropped back. Once he lost contact with the group, he didn't have the pace to stay with them, and he eventually finished quite far behind. Overall, it was a very disappointing result for both riders.
They need to improve and show that improvement on track. I believe there are things they need to address on their side, and they must recognise them, learn from these experiences and work on themselves. Otherwise, we will continue to face the same situation, and that is not what we are here for. We are here to compete, to win and to improve, and we need to see progress.
I would like to thank all the team members for continuing to give their best, as well as our sponsors and supporters. Although we are disappointed, we will keep working hard and try to turn things around in Portugal. Hopefully, we can have a different story at the next round.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia I think this is one of those weekends we need to forget. We didn't start well on Friday, and although we managed to recover a little on Saturday, it wasn't enough. Anyway, the team did everything they could and maximised what was available to us. Now I just need to reset and clear my mind after this weekend. We have a week off, which will give me some time to refocus, and I really hope we can have a much better weekend when we come back in Portugal.
I'm disappointed because I expected much more from this weekend, and that's what makes the result so frustrating. Nevertheless, I want to thank the team and everyone who continues to support me. Now we move on, with our eyes on Portimão.
I think this is one of those weekends we need to forget. We didn't start well on Friday, and although we managed to recover a little on Saturday, it wasn't enough. Anyway, the team did everything they could and maximised what was available to us. Now I just need to reset and clear my mind after this weekend. We have a week off, which will give me some time to refocus, and I really hope we can have a much better weekend when we come back in Portugal.
I'm disappointed because I expected much more from this weekend, and that's what makes the result so frustrating. Nevertheless, I want to thank the team and everyone who continues to support me. Now we move on, with our eyes on Portimão.
Taiyo Furusato
72
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It's a real shame to finish with the same result again. For the second consecutive race, I made a mistake around the middle part of the race. Honestly, I'm really tired of making these mistakes, and I'm very disappointed with myself.
It's frustrating because there have been some positive things during the weekends, and I know there is potential. I need to take those positives with me, learn from what happened and work harder to avoid making the same mistakes again. We have two races left in the season, and I will do my best to have a better weekend in Portugal and Valencia.
It's a real shame to finish with the same result again. For the second consecutive race, I made a mistake around the middle part of the race. Honestly, I'm really tired of making these mistakes, and I'm very disappointed with myself.
It's frustrating because there have been some positive things during the weekends, and I know there is potential. I need to take those positives with me, learn from what happened and work harder to avoid making the same mistakes again. We have two races left in the season, and I will do my best to have a better weekend in Portugal and Valencia.
