Fernandez sets Mandalika record to lead Aprilia sweep

Raul Fernandez set a Mandalika lap record to lead Friday practice for the Indonesian Grand Prix, heading an Aprilia sweep of the top three places. The Trackhouse rider’s fastest lap was 1 minute, 28.725 seconds, leaving Marco Bezzecchi 0.219 seconds behind and Jorge Martin 0.481 seconds back. Pedro Acosta was fourth as the fastest rider on a non-Aprilia, 0.669 seconds off Fernandez’s pace. Marc Marquez led the Ducati riders in fifth, 0.701 seconds behind. The top 10 in practice advance directly to Q2, the second qualifying session. Fernandez said the circuit’s fast, flowing corners suited Aprilia, but said he had not expected to build such a large advantage. He also reported feeling more comfortable on the medium rear tyre than on the soft, even though the medium did not produce a faster lap. The comments reflect his assessment of the bike and track, while Friday’s practice result establishes the early order rather than the eventual qualifying or race outcome. Bezzecchi welcomed the result for Aprilia but cautioned that Friday was only an early step in the weekend. Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race will provide further tests of the team’s pace.