A few hours after Jorge Martín’s more authoritative pole position than ever, the sprint race of the Indonesian Grand Prix was expected as a new element of response to the hierarchy of the weekend. Would it confirm the control of the championship leader among the title contenders?
The conditions remained identical to those at the start of the day, still very hot, with the mercury hovering around 30°C in the air and the track having gained even more temperature, flirting with 60°C. On the tire side, the situation was simple for these 14 laps to complete: it was tight for everyone at the back.
The poleman took off best but was followed like his shadow by Pecco Bagnaia, who dived without his wake at the first corner, followed by Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi. As the long-awaited duel loomed, Jorge Martín lost the front in turn 16, like many others before him this weekend! The Spaniard left in last position, with a gap of more than 7 seconds on the new leader.
While Raúl Fernández and Joan Mir also fell, Fabio Quartararo maintained his sixth place but Johann Zarco had a complicated start which relegated him to tenth place. In front, Pecco Bagnaia did not run away, taking behind him Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Márquez and, a little further, Enea Bastianini.
Bezzecchi too proche de Bagnaia
Bagnaia takes 12 points from Martín.
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
With seven laps to go, Marco Bezzecchi failed to brake and shot straight, falling to fourth place after coming very close to taking Pecco Bagnaia with him who thus found himself in a direct fight with Marc Márquez. The reigning double World Champion, however, managed to get some air, without completely losing the Spaniard and his pursuer, Enea Bastianini, also showing great pace.
In an intense and compact fight for the places of honor, Fabio Quartararo ended up giving in and losing several positions at once, leaving the points zone into which his compatriot Johann Zarco entered. We subsequently learned that the Yamaha rider came into contact with Franco Morbidelli’s Desmodesidi while attempting an attack, which would explain his fall in the standings.
In the leading trio, Enea Bastianini was increasingly pressing but was unable to find an opening on Marc Márquez. A fight which benefited the leader at the start of the last two laps. Moment chosen by the winner of the last Grand Prix to attack and take second place.
More worried, Pecco Bagnaia raced to victory in this sprint race, ahead of his teammate and Marc Márquez. Marco Bezzecchi took fourth place ahead of Pedro Acosta, Franco Morbidelli and Maverick Viñales. Johann Zarco took the two points for eighth place, ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Jorge Martín gave everything in his comeback, which ended in the top 10 but without a single point. And here is Pecco Bagnaia who suddenly takes 12 points from his main rival in the championship, on the eve of a new clash which already promises…
Indonesian GP – Sprint race
