The common thread between 2021 and the start of the new course has been the tests called in Malaysia and Indonesia . Both circuits have set the pace for a preseason full of technical innovations and new components to benefit from during the first round of the year. However, before the inaugural event in Qatar, they had to be put into practice, and that has been the main task of the Mandalika International Street Circuit.
The Indonesian street circuit has come to the MotoGP calendar to revolutionize the fans, but also the riders. Its layout, characterized by dust and dirt, has become the focus of criticism in the paddock of the premier class.
The corners have personality, the layout is fun, but there is something missing: credibility for a grand prix. Virtually no driver has been left out when it comes to commenting on the state of the track, and they all agree on the same aspect.
Mandalika conditions are not appropriate for a race given the nature of the asphalt, responsible for more than 15 crashes during the weekend, which means that more than 54% of the MotoGP grid has gone to the ground during this weekend .
This situation has made the process of focusing on the fastest lap very difficult, as well as thoroughly testing the new components that could make the difference in the first grand prix of 2022. Instead, caution and prudence have taken the baton in the MotoGP garages.
The architects of more than a dozen crashes have been turns 9, 10, 11 and 12, coinciding with the fastest on the track made up of seventeen turns in total. Riders such as Marc Márquez, Jorge Martín and Aleix Espargaró have crashed on more than one occasion without notable consequences. However, one of the most affected drivers has been Raúl Fernández, who decided to end his preseason prematurely due to a concussion that caused him double vision.
In addition to an infallible technique to avoid losing the front end and take advantage of the grip of the urban circuit, it has been necessary to have extra safety against the stones of Mandalika, which caused a significant injury to Pecco Bagnaia’s arm.
Likewise, the existence of grass between the wall and the pit lane has also been the focus of criticism from the paddock, and the drivers have requested to put asphalt in its place, to reduce the probability of an unnecessary fall. However, this request has been rejected by operators and the Indonesian Government.
