Fernandez delivered a commanding performance on Sunday, earning his first-ever win in the premier class and giving Trackhouse Racing their inaugural MotoGP victory.
Sprint winner Marco Bezzecchi, starting second on the grid, made a blistering launch to overtake pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo before the opening corner. Fernandez and Pedro Acosta also passed Quartararo, who had set a record lap in Saturday qualifying.
Bezzecchi’s charge was brief, however, as he had to serve a double long lap penalty for his collision with newly-crowned champion Marc Marquez at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The Aprilia rider completed the penalty and fought back to an impressive third-place finish.
Bezzecchi Recovers, Bagnaia Crashes
Fernandez took advantage of Bezzecchi’s setback to move into the lead. Once he had clear track ahead, the 24-year-old Spaniard proved untouchable. Fernandez’s win also marked a milestone for Aprilia, making them the most successful European manufacturer in Grand Prix history with their 300th victory.
Fernandez took advantage of Bezzecchi’s setback to move into the lead. Once he had clear track ahead, the 24-year-old Spaniard proved untouchable. Fernandez’s win also marked a milestone for Aprilia, making them the most successful European manufacturer in Grand Prix history with their 300th victory.
“So sorry, but I cannot believe it,” Fernandez said. “The team always believed in me. They never stopped supporting me. So it is the consequence of hard work.
“So thanks to them, of course, we have a really good pace.
“We know that on this kind of track, you need to manage the tyres very well, and I tried to because at the end we knew that it was very difficult to manage. That is what I did, especially in the last five laps. It was a super long race for me.”
Acosta, Alex Marquez, and Fabio Di Giannantonio battled fiercely before VR46 Racing’s Di Giannantonio secured second place, with Bezzecchi completing the podium after his remarkable recovery.
“It was a super tough race,” Bezzecchi said. “With the penalty, everything was more complicated, but my strategy worked perfectly, because I wanted to make the perfect start and try to push at the beginning.
“I had a bit of a gap when I took the penalty, so I’m super happy. I did not imagine a podium with the penalty.”
Quartararo endured a miserable race, dropping down to finish 11th. Local favorite Jack Miller suffered disappointment as he crashed out from sixth place, while two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia retired after a crash with four laps remaining, ending his weekend in frustration.
