The newly opened Mandalika Circuit will resurface part of the track

February 15, 2022

The three days of testing held at the new Lombok Island Circuit, in Indonesia, revealed a series of deficiencies in the construction of the track that were dealt with at an urgent meeting of the MotoGP Safety Commission, in which the pilots, some of them clearly critical about it.

After a meeting between the International Federation (FIM), the promoter of the championship (Dorna) and the owners of the circuit (ITDC), the parties agreed on improvements and a partial resurfacing before the grand prix scheduled for March 20.

In a note issued by the FIM, it assures that the test held in Mandalika “has given the organization and the governing body the opportunity to guarantee that the circuit meets MotoGP standards, and to evaluate the necessary improvements before the debut of the track on the World Cup calendar”.

Feedback from drivers and teams regarding the track layout and its safety standards, including the extensive run-off areas on both tarmac and gravel, has been overwhelmingly positive.

However, there were some points where the opinion was not so favorable from the runners.

“During the test, two areas for improvement were identified: the cleanliness of the track surface and the excess dirt that affects some parts of the circuit.”

The FIM has asked the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), owners of the facility, for a reaction regarding these necessary improvements, which must be implemented a minimum of seven days before the scheduled grand prix from March 18 to 20, within of one month.

According to the FIM, “ITDC agreed with the assessment and the requests. All parties have reacted quickly and work is already underway to achieve these improvements, including resurfacing part of the track.”

The point where the riders had the most impact was a problem with the asphalt, which was rising, probably due to the high temperatures that the area endures, and that caused the bikes to make stones fly that became real missiles.

“The circuit will be paved again from the section before turn 17 to after turn 5,” says the federation.

Indonesia will return to the MotoGP calendar 25 years after the last Grand Prix held in that country.

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, injured in the arm by a stone

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Stewards simulate an oil spill cleanup at the Mandalika circuit

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Photo by: Mandalika Prix Association (MGPA)

Stewards simulate an oil spill cleanup at the Mandalika circuit

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Photo by: Mandalika Prix Association (MGPA)

Stewards simulate an oil spill cleanup at the Mandalika circuit

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Photo by: Mandalika Prix Association (MGPA)

Stewards simulate an oil spill cleanup at the Mandalika circuit

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Photo by: Mandalika Prix Association (MGPA)

Priandhi Satria, circuit president, with Mike Webb, MotoGP Race Director, at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit

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Photo by: Mandalika Prix Association (MGPA)

Fans in Mandalika

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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Circuito Mandalika

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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Mandalika circuit overcast

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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Mandalika track skins