Honda Team Asia’s Veda Pratama took advantage of a red flag-interrupted race to bounce back to a maiden podium in Goiania, becoming the first Indonesian rider to stand on the podium, marking a milestone moment for the sport and for Honda Team Asia. 

The Moto3 Brazilian Grand Prix started under sunny skies in front of packed crowds at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia - Ayrton Senna. Starting from 4^th on the grid, Honda Team Asia’s Veda Pratama got a great launch and immediately climbed to third into turn one.

Locked in a typically close Moto3 midfield battle, by the third lap Pratama got moved wide and tumbled down the order to 10^th one of the few riders to opt for the soft rear tyre. Similarly, Joel Kelso was pushed wide and out of the train to fall from 8^th to 14^th.

Meanwhile, Guido Pini and Adrian Fernandez made steady progress, joining the fight for the final step of the podium. After a crash on lap seven gave the top two some breathing space, Fernandez soon found himself in the lead of the chase group, in third, which became second when the leader crashed out.

Then on lap 15 the race was red flagged, with Fernandez in second, Pini fifth and Pratama ninth. As two thirds race distance hadn’t been completed, the race was restarted for a five-lap sprint, neutralising Maximo Quiles’ four second lead and setting up a thrilling dash to the flag.

The restart allowed Pratama to jump back into contention with a stunning ride. He wasted no time in jumping up the order, applying the pressure to make a move for third on the last lap, becoming the first Indonesian rider to take a Moto3 podium.

Behind him, Pini came home fifth, very much embroiled in the podium fight, with Fernandez having slipped to eighth, unable to capitalise on his pace before the red flag. Casey James O’Gorman finished ninth, Joel Kelso 12^th with Zen Mitani 16^th.  Leo Rammerstorfer crashed out at turn 12 on the third lap.

Next up for the championship is the Grand Prix of the United States on 27-29 March.