Mandalika Circuit Eligible For MotoGP, But Are You Ready To Face Weather Constraints?

Marc Marquez raced on the Mandalika Circuit track which still looked wet during the first free practice session of the 2022 Indonesian MotoGP on Friday, March 18. (Photo: MotoGP)

JAKARTA - Even though it is not one hundred percent free of obstacles, the Mandalika Circuit has finally been declared safe for the MotoGP race. The International Motorcycle Racing Federation (FIM) has finally issued homologation A, referring to technical inspections from earlier this week until the practice session on the first day of the Indonesian MotoGP series, Friday 18 March.

In his press conference at the Mandalika Circuit media room, the Managing Director of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) Priandhi Satria said, input from the drivers who became FIM finally issued homologation A for the Mandalika Circuit. The highest level of homologation is only given to circuits that meet the FIM requirements to hold Grand Prix level races.

"After discussions, FIM agreed to give homologation A so that we can hold the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2022," said Priandhi.

Deputy President Director of MGPA Cahyadi Wanda also admitted that he was relieved by the issuance of homologation status A. Concerns had arisen if the Mandalika Circuit could not be used to hold a MotoGP race, after being re-paved during the pre-season test last February.

The feasibility of the asphalt layer at the Mandalika Circuit is really a concern for the riders who will compete in the MotoGP Indonesia 2022. (Photo: MotoGP)

“After the re-paving, this circuit was used for the first time. So, on the asphalt surface there are still remnants of material that will be thrown away when used for training. After today and tomorrow, it will no longer exist," said Cahyadi.

The corner points of 16.5 to 5.5 are re-paved track conditions, which are the focus of attention of FIM Safety Officer Franco Uncini and Dorna Sports Safety Advisor, Loris Capirossi. The inspection also covers aspects of safety, the condition of the run-off area, the medical team, marshals, and race operations.

Feedback from Riders

The inspection results are then brought to a safety commission meeting involving MotoGP riders. The riders provided input on track conditions during the first and second free practice sessions last Friday at Mandalika.

Fabio Quartararo, the reigning MotoGP world champion from the Monster Energy Yamaha team, assessed that the condition of the Mandalika track was much better after being re-paved.

"In the test you lose a lot of grip if you get off the track and it's very difficult to come back. Right now, if you get out of the racing line, you can still go back and make turns," he said.

Spectators of the 2022 Indonesian MotoGP at the Mandalika Circuit must go through strict security checks. (Photo: ANTARA)

Alex Rins, a Suzuki rider, hopes that the grip on the track surface, which was recently re-paved on March 8, will improve on Saturday and Sunday. This is in line with the increasing number of laps made by racers, both from the MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 classes, and the Asia Talent Cup (ATC).

This Saturday, the riders will race their motorbikes as fast as possible in the qualifying session, to determine the starting position for the MotoGP race which will be held on Sunday 20 March.

Last Friday, although the circuit area was rained quite heavily, it did not interfere with activities on the circuit, including free practice. It's just that during the free practice session on Saturday morning which was also accompanied by rain, a puddle of water appeared in the gravel trap.

Deputy for Meteorology of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Guswanto, Friday, revealed that the potential for tropical cyclone seeds will continue to persist in the Timor Sea, East Nusa Tenggara, and is expected to strengthen in the next 72 hours. This could have an indirect impact on the potential for extreme weather in a number of areas, including in NTB, which is currently holding MotoGP.