Indonesia GP 2025 – Practice and Qualifying recap

The beautiful Mandalika Circuit on the Island of Lombok is set right on the edge of the coast. This track, renowned for being super slipperly, gradually gets faster throughout the weekend as fresh rubber lays down over the dusty surface. This friday looking no different as most riders sat in the 1.31’s and a few cracking the 1.30’s throught the first prectice.

The shock start to the weekend was the world champion looking very unsettled on his dominant GP25. He had many big moments and spent alot of time in the Ducati garage shaking his head. He his first crash into turn 10 was fast but fairly straight froward as he lost the front end, his second however was a proper highside as he launched to the moon. He appeared to be a bit sore but he wandered back and changed his leathers. He then mangaed a P7 with about 5 mins left in Practice 2, but with some yellow flags and better pace from the rest, he got dropped out for the first time this season. He had been the only rider to progress straight through to Q2 in every race this season.

Clear pace from the Aprillia’s with only Bezzecchi and Fernandez fit enough to race, but both showing incredible pace compared to the rst. The Aprillia has one of the best front end feel and grip in the paddock, helping with the faster changes of direction, and a huge advantage in the secomd sector for the Novale team.

Acosta the only KTM looking to surmount any sort of battle for the top riders and even he struggled massively to get the KTM to be pulled up under brakes and stay on the racing line. After many attepts where he looked much faster in sectors 1, decent in sector 2 and then losing it completely in sector 3.

Ducati looking incredibly poor with an early crash from Aldeguer, 2 crashes for Marc, both DiGiantonnio and Bagnaia sitting near the bottom of the pack for both sessions. Alex Marquez not looking like a frontrunner, Franco also looked on the edge of his GP24.

The real surprise is the 3 Yamaha’s going straight through to Q2. The lack of grip seemed to disadvantage Ducati more than usual and gave Olivera, Rins and Quartararo the best chance they’ve had all season.

Honda were right in the mic the whole three practice sessions, Marini in particular set consistent race pace and both HRC riders went straight through to Q2.

The Gresini pair of Alex and Aldeguer were the only Ducati riders to go straight through to the Q2. That’s the least amount this season. The majority of the fast times were dominated by Bez and Acosta but in the end Aldeguer managed to squeeze himself inbetween, Alex getting the last spot ahead of his brother.

Late crashes were frequent as riders pushed past the limit to get into Q2. Zarco and Bastianini both missing out and ending up in the gravel.

Practice 3 looked like a carbon copy of the first 2, with Ducati not looking like they found the solution yet. Bez and Acosta were dominant and Quartararo throwining himself between them at the last minute. Martin and Ogura will be kicking their luck after missing out on what looks to be a dominant weekend for the Italian brand. Olivera with a late off, his only blemish of his best start to a weekend with Yamaha.

Q1 involved alot of Ducati’s for once, only the 1 Yamaha of Miller, both LCR Honda’s and the 3 KTM’s. Marquez immediately getting into business and dropping a 1.30.12 after a tow from his factory teammate. VR46 then both taking the top 2 spots, Diggia managing 6 tenths faster than he could in any session yesterday. Bagnaia having a few interesting moment and then heading into the pits for an interesting looking conversation with his crew chief Christian Gabbarini. Marc then fired back into P1 with a high 1.29 before heading back in for fresh rubber.

The VR46 really looking the ones to beat as the kept going red through each sector. Franky briefly 2nd before Diggia goes straight into P1 and pushing Marc down to P2. More moments for the number 93 but he still managed to improve on his last lap and cement his spot into Q2. Bagnaia with start from 16th, Binder from 15th, Jack Miller managed a 1.29 but not enough and he’ll start P14 and Franky missing out and has to settle for 13th. To make his weekend even worse, Bastianini crashed on his last lap into turn 1 with q minute on the clock and bringing ou the yellow flags.

Bezzecchi on his opening run layed down a 1.29.396 and put a .5 second gap between himself a Aldeguer in 2nd.

Acosta and then slotting himself into 2nd and Alex Marquez into 3rd before Quartararo lost the front at 150km/h into turn 15 with 10 mins to go. Marini and Raul Fernandez joining the fun and sitting in 3rd and 4th respectively before the second run. marc Marquez ending his first run in P10.

Fermin Aldeguer then having drama as he number 1 bike wouldn’t fire back into life, he then had no choice but to jump on his second GP24. The Aprillia’s are absolutely in a league of their own! Dominating sector 2 and getting Fernandez into P3 behind Acosta. Seconds later Bez smashing Jorge Martin’s 2024 (Ducati) 1.29.088 with a new lap record of 1.28.832 and getting his 3rd pole of the season and 7th of his career.

Aldeguer, clearly not fazed by the bike change drops into a solid second before his teammate Alex crashes into turn 13, same as yesterday. Marini jumping to 5th and Alex Rins into a surprising 3rd. Fernandez on a flyer jumping to 3rd. Rins then crashing into turn 16. Marquez looking horrible on his bike and starting in his worst position this season, last in Q2 and will start in 12th. Diggia will start in 11th, unable to repeat his heroics from Q1.

The only 2 Aprillias on the grid, start P! and P3 with the Ducati GP24 of Aldeguer in 2nd. A very mixed manufacture start to the grid. Rins, first time out-qualifying his teamate in 2025.