The first MotoGP test day in Indonesia is dominated by dirty asphalt – But the riders praise the character and layout of the Mandalika track
For the first time since 1997, MotoGP is back on Indonesian soil. But the first of three days of testing at the new Mandalika circuit on Lombok Island did not go ideally. It rained heavily during the night on Friday. In addition, the track was very dirty. There were also many stones on the asphalt. Around the track, they are still building the grandstands and the rest of the infrastructure.
Some riders went out in the morning with rain tyres on a still wet track. The drier it got, the more dirt formed on the asphalt. The bikes came back to the pits completely filthy, as if they had been ridden on a motocross track.
“It was a bit crazy at the beginning,” Brad Binder describes. “The spray from the guys in front was so extreme, it was like motocross. I pitted because I couldn’t see anything. All the breakaway visors were used up. ”
Finally, the test was interrupted and a meeting was called. During the 90 minute break, some cleaning vehicles tried to clean the tarmac. Eventually it was decided that each driver would have to complete at least 20 laps by 15:00 local time.
“When they asked me,” Marc Marquez reports, “I said that you just had to ride the bikes. But nobody wanted to go out. It was a good decision. In the end it became a normal track on the racing line. ”
Also critical voices on mandatory laps
So the drivers drove the racing line continuously clean. Everyone joined in, but there were also critical voices. “I didn’t like it at all that we all had to ride together to clean the track,” Aleix Espargaro records. “I was very annoyed about that. ”
The Aprilia rider nevertheless admits, “It worked though. It’s not the solution though. I’m not here to ride a track clean. Firstly, it wasn’t safe, secondly, only Aprilia can make me do it. And in a test, I ride when I want. ”
Agree Aleix Espargaro gets from Luca Marini, who says: “To prescribe something that is dangerous – it’s a bit strange. I respect this decision because everyone wanted to ride so the track is in good condition.”
“But you have to understand if this would happen on a race weekend. Because if they are not prepared,” the Italian cautions the track operators. “Today it would have been impossible to race.” In addition, many reported that the rider in front was kicking up stones.
This will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the safety commission. “Behind another rider, you were hit by a lot of stones. It hurts on the shoulders and hands,” says Marini. “The visor was also hit all the time. Tomorrow I need a new helmet. ”
“We riders shouldn’t clean the track,” holds veteran Andrea Dovizioso. “I was out before and I can’t even explain how bad it was. They had cleaned turns 1 and 2 before, but I couldn’t see any difference. ”
There's something right about #MotoGP bikes riding around Mandalika! 🤩
Get a glimpse of the riders taking their first laps around the new Indonesian circuit! 🇮🇩#MandalikaTest pic.twitter.com/MqhCnXGbmZ
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 11, 2022
“In the end, though, it was the right decision. On the racing line, the track became acceptable. The lap times also became more normal. It was the right decision, but I think things like that shouldn’t happen. It was clear that the track would be dirty.”
The majority of the riders were in favour of keeping the track clean. “If we didn’t do it today, we would have had to do it tomorrow,” shrugs Jack Miller. “Hopefully the rain won’t wash the sand back onto the racing line. ”
Mainly the riders got to know the new track on Friday. They had to be careful because it was very slippery next to the racing line. The lap times eventually became steadily faster. What is possible will probably only be shown on the third day of testing.
Much praise for the track layout
All the drivers were enthusiastic about the layout. The track is 4.3 kilometres long and has eleven right turns and six left turns. The finishing straight is very short at 500 metres. “The layout is a bit strange because you are always banking except on the home straight,” Dovizioso thinks.
An interesting assessment is made by Marc Marquez. “I like sectors 1, 3 and 4. I don’t like sector 2, it’s too fast there,” laughs the Honda rider. “There are also bumps there. With risk you can get a lot of time there, but for now you have to stay calm. ”
He is agreed by Jack Miller: “There are also blind crests and a triple right-hander, quick changes of direction. It’s a unique track. It reminds me of Argentina. The layout is very cool and a lot of fun.”
Indeed, the layout is very varied. “There is a bit of everything – small and technical, and then followed by very fast corners again. The section with turns 7, 8 and 9 is surreal. I think we’ll see some good racing here,” Miller reckons.
The section from turn 7 to 9 is in the second sector mentioned by Marc Marquez. After two fast right turns, the track enters what is supposed to be the back straight, which is interrupted by a fast right-left chicane.
“This track has its own character,” finds Pol Espargaro. “It is different. On the back straight there is this fast change of direction, which is also physically demanding. For the fast corners, the bike needs good stability. There are hardly any hard braking zones. ”
More demanding than Sepang?
Mandalika is a fast, fluid circuit. The final sector is reminiscent of Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina, as there is one last opportunity for an out-braking manoeuvre before turn 16 for the final corner and the finishing line.
For the riders, the race in Indonesia will be exhausting. “The temperature and humidity are so high that between noon and 4pm it will be extremely difficult to ride because you can hardly breathe,” Franco Morbidelli says. “It is therefore harder than Sepang.”
Most riders think the fans will enjoy the action at the new track. But Joan Mir believes, “Overtaking will not be easy. Before turn 1 it is possible. And if you catch the fast corners well in sector 2, then in the following braking phase. But it won’t be easy. The start will be very important here. But you will also be able to overtake. “
