Difficult Friday in Mandalika for Honda's MotoGP Riders
Pertamina Mandalika International CircuitHonda's riders struggle to crack the top-ten in Indonesia
Conditions typical of the Indonesian Grand Prix tested riders from early in the morning as the thermostat raced into the 30s from barely 09:00 as the grid wrestled their machines around the demanding Mandalika International Circuit.
Luca Marini was left disappointed with his Friday performance, the Italian aiming for a repeat of his 2025 performance at the Indonesian GP where he challenged the top five consistently. Able to set a best time of 1’30.037 in the afternoon, he ended the day in 14th place and some three tenths shy of the all-important top ten. Now a busy night of work awaits for Marini’s side of the Honda HRC Castrol garage as they look to unlock the reason behind his lack of confidence compared to past seasons and search for a way out of Q1 on Saturday morning.
Determined to make the most of the day, Johann Zarco faced a challenging Friday, with the Frenchman struggling to find the pace needed to improve. In the afternoon Zarco found some positives and made progress, but it was not enough to secure a direct spot to Q2. After ending the day in 18th place, both him and his crew will work to secure the best possible grid position for Saturday.
Team-mate Diogo Moreira also faced a demanding opening day of action at the Mandalika circuit, struggling to find the right feeling on the bike. Despite these difficulties, the Brazilian was not too far off the morning pace. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the right feeling with the front tyre in the afternoon's Practice session and ended the day in 19th place.
For Aleix Espargaro, Friday was all about getting back up to racing speed and checking his fitness as the #41 returned to a Grand Prix weekend for the first time since Valencia last season. Content with his physical condition after so long away due to injury, Espargaro was able to steadily improve his setup on the Honda RC213V and reduce the gap to the other riders. Completing a problem-free weekend remains his primary objective.
I am disappointed with how we were today; our level compared to last year is much lower. Regardless of the yellow flags on our last lap, we did not have the pace to be fighting for the top ten which was our clear target arriving to this weekend. We need to try and find something overnight to improve the feeling with both the front and the rear. We can see from the lap times at the top that the circuit is in a good condition.
I am disappointed with how we were today; our level compared to last year is much lower. Regardless of the yellow flags on our last lap, we did not have the pace to be fighting for the top ten which was our clear target arriving to this weekend. We need to try and find something overnight to improve the feeling with both the front and the rear. We can see from the lap times at the top that the circuit is in a good condition.
It was a difficult day. We needed quite a bit of time to make improvements, as I didn’t feel comfortable with the bike setup. Luckily, we made some progress during this afternoon’s Practice, and I hope we can continue moving in the right direction tomorrow.
It was a difficult day. We needed quite a bit of time to make improvements, as I didn’t feel comfortable with the bike setup. Luckily, we made some progress during this afternoon’s Practice, and I hope we can continue moving in the right direction tomorrow.
We’re struggling at this circuit. It’s difficult to put together a good time attack, although our pace isn’t too bad. The biggest challenge for me is the feeling with the front tyre, so we need to understand it better. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.
We’re struggling at this circuit. It’s difficult to put together a good time attack, although our pace isn’t too bad. The biggest challenge for me is the feeling with the front tyre, so we need to understand it better. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.
Today went well, my back and shoulders did not have any pain in them which was my main concern arriving here. My physical condition is still not perfect because I have hardly ridden a motorcycle for seven months and after a big injury, it’s something normal and we will do what we can this weekend. I am enjoying riding the bike at this beautiful track and just taking the weekend step by step and remaining realistic. I will do what I can to help the other Honda riders to improve.
Today went well, my back and shoulders did not have any pain in them which was my main concern arriving here. My physical condition is still not perfect because I have hardly ridden a motorcycle for seven months and after a big injury, it’s something normal and we will do what we can this weekend. I am enjoying riding the bike at this beautiful track and just taking the weekend step by step and remaining realistic. I will do what I can to help the other Honda riders to improve.
