Marc Marquez Targets Mandalika Turnaround at Indonesian GP

Marc Marquez heads into the Indonesian Grand Prix determined to change his Mandalika record, having scored only 11 points across his previous four visits and never finished a Sunday race at the circuit. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider arrives in strong 2026 form, however, with six wins in the last nine rounds and a chance to continue his push for the MotoGP World Championship lead.

The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit has repeatedly delivered frustration for the #93 since it joined the calendar in 2022. Yet the source of optimism is clear: Marquez has shown pace at the Lombok venue, even though incidents, crashes and mechanical trouble have prevented him from converting that potential into a full Sunday result.

A difficult Mandalika history for Marquez

Marquez’s first visit to Mandalika in 2022 ended before the Indonesian Grand Prix itself. He qualified 15th, then suffered a major highside at Turn 7 during the morning Warm Up. The crash forced him to miss the Indonesian GP and the following round in Argentina.

He returned in 2023, but the result was another scoreless weekend. Marquez crashed on both Saturday and Sunday, extending his difficult run at the venue.

There was progress in 2024. Marquez finished third in Saturday’s Sprint and collected seven points, but a mechanical issue ended his Sunday challenge. That left the elusive race finish still out of reach despite a more encouraging weekend overall.

The following season again brought an eventful Mandalika weekend. Starting from the third row in 2025, Marquez finished sixth in the Sprint after taking a Long Lap Penalty. His race pace offered hope heading into Sunday, but a Lap 1 incident with Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi ended his weekend and season.

Those experiences explain why Mandalika remains a significant stop on Marquez’s 2026 schedule. The Indonesian circuit has offered flashes of speed but no Sunday chequered flag for the eight-time World Champion. A completed race, and the points that could follow, would represent a notable change in his story at the venue.

Strong recent form brings fresh belief

Marquez arrives with momentum from the wider 2026 campaign. He has won six of the last nine rounds and has narrowed the championship gap to two points after 16 Grands Prix, the smallest margin at that point of the season. The Indonesian GP therefore presents another important opportunity as the flyaway tour continues.

Marquez said: “Of course I’ve never finished a race there; I have been a bit unlucky. Last year in the Sprint, I didn’t feel bad after the Long Lap Penalty, so let’s see. We need to understand what we can do, but step by step I’m feeling better, and since Aragon, the feeling on the bike has been great.”

His comments underline a measured approach. Rather than overlooking the problems of previous years, Marquez is focused on understanding what is possible at Mandalika while carrying positive feeling from recent rounds.

The Indonesian GP now offers the Ducati rider a chance to replace a difficult run of Mandalika memories with a result that matches his current pace. With the championship margin so tight and his recent winning form established, Marquez will look to finally see the Sunday chequered flag at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit.