Australian Grand Prix - Friday Practice
MotoGP 2026
Round 18
Virus limits Marini's Friday in Phillip Island
Phillip IslandA lack of power and strength saw Luca Marini sidelined from the opening day of the Australian GP, the Italian focusing on his recovery and aiming for a return to action on Saturday.
Friday in Phillip Island was a quieter than expected day for Luca Marini and the Honda HRC Castrol team as they completed just two laps. Arriving in Australia already suffering from a virus, Marini was left lacking the strength needed to wrestle his Honda RC213V around the demanding 4.45-kilometre circuit and ended his morning early.
After consultation with Dr Angel Charte and the MotoGP Medical Team, it was decided that Marini would sit out the afternoon session and have his condition reassessed on Saturday morning. An evening of rest and recovery now awaits.
Luca Marini
10
Honda HRC Castrol “I just want to say sorry to the team and the fans. When I started to travel to Australia, I was not feeling great and unfortunately my condition has not improved. Phillip Island is a really physically demanding circuit and it is the correct decision to rest today and tonight with the goal of being back on the bike on Saturday.”
“I just want to say sorry to the team and the fans. When I started to travel to Australia, I was not feeling great and unfortunately my condition has not improved. Phillip Island is a really physically demanding circuit and it is the correct decision to rest today and tonight with the goal of being back on the bike on Saturday.”
