News Summary
- Raúl Fernández finished second in the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix despite racing with two broken fingers following Saturday’s sprint collision with Marco Bezzecchi.
- The Trackhouse rider revealed that he had kept the second fracture secret and needed to change his braking technique to compete.
- Fernández led the first 18 laps at Mandalika before Bezzecchi overtook him, eventually finishing 4.260s behind the race winner.
Raúl Fernández has revealed that he raced the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix with two fractured fingers, concealing the full extent of his injury before producing a remarkable second-place finish at Mandalika on Sunday, October 11.
The Trackhouse Aprilia rider suffered the injuries during Saturday’s opening-corner collision with Marco Bezzecchi, an incident that had initially left his participation in the Grand Prix uncertain. Despite the pain, Fernández returned to the circuit, started from pole position and led the first 18 laps before being overtaken by the same rider involved in his sprint accident.
Fernández eventually finished second, 4.260s behind Bezzecchi, helping Aprilia secure an unprecedented sweep of the first four positions, with Jorge Martín third and Ai Ogura fourth.
Fernández had initially reported a single fractured finger following Saturday’s collision, but admitted after Sunday’s race that the injury was more serious than he had disclosed.
“Yesterday, when I crashed and I saw my hand, I knew before going to the clinic that I had my finger broken, the one that normally I used to brake,” Fernández said after the Grand Prix.
“This morning, when I woke up, I realised I don’t have one, but two fingers broken. No one knew. I tried to say nothing, just keep the pain for me and keep my focus on the race.”
The revelation came after Fernández had received medical clearance to participate in Sunday’s activities, although he still needed to establish whether he could physically control the motorcycle.
On Saturday, the Spaniard had accused Bezzecchi of unprofessional riding following their collision, which eliminated both Aprilia riders at the first corner.
Fernández had qualified on pole for the first time in MotoGP earlier that day, but the sprint accident left him facing the possibility of missing Sunday’s race altogether.
Trackhouse changes motorcycle as Fernández relearns braking technique
The injury was particularly difficult because one of the fractured fingers was the one Fernández normally used to operate the front brake.
The Spaniard explained that his team had to make adjustments to the motorcycle’s controls to allow him to ride without relying on his usual braking technique.
“This morning, I tried to find a solution on the brakes, because I was not able to use the finger that I use normally,” Fernández said. “I started everything from zero. It was a very difficult job for me.”
Speaking to MotoGP’s After the Flag, Fernández explained that the problem was not simply finding a comfortable position on the handlebars. He had to change how he braked and adapt his reference points around the circuit.
“The team did some changes on the position of my hand, a little change in position of the brake,” he said.
“The reference for how I brake, for how I take the corners, was completely different.”
Fernández tested the adjustments during Sunday’s warm-up and was able to start the Grand Prix, although the physical demands became increasingly difficult as the race progressed.
“After 13, 14 laps I was almost destroyed. I felt super painful because to keep my focus on the handlebar and not make a mistake was super difficult.”
Fernández leads 18 laps before Bezzecchi takes victory
Despite the injuries, Fernández made a strong start from pole and defended the lead when Bezzecchi attempted to attack at Turn 1.
The two riders quickly established themselves at the front, benefiting from Aprilia’s superior pace around Mandalika’s flowing corners.
Fernández maintained first place throughout the opening half of the 27-lap race, with Bezzecchi remaining close enough to challenge as the laps progressed.
The Italian eventually completed the decisive overtake at Turn 1 on lap 19, taking the lead from Fernández and opening a gap during the closing stages.
Fernández continued despite the pain and held on to second place, securing his second Grand Prix podium of the season.
GRANDE PRÊMIO reported Bezzecchi’s victory and Aprilia’s historic top-four finish, with Martín third and Ogura fourth.
The result was particularly significant given the events of Saturday, when Fernández had been left furious with Bezzecchi following the collision that injured his hand.
Fernández strengthens seventh place in MotoGP championship
Fernández’s second place earned him 20 championship points, taking his season total to 236 and strengthening his seventh position in the Riders’ Championship.
The result also helped Trackhouse Aprilia reach 495 points in the Teams’ Championship, leaving the American-owned team just 24 behind Ducati Lenovo.
Aprilia Racing extended its lead in the Teams’ Championship, while the manufacturer also moved ahead of Ducati in the Constructors’ Championship following its historic 1-2-3-4 finish.
Jorge Martín’s third place allowed him to regain the Riders’ Championship lead from Marc Márquez, with the Spaniards separated by only two points.
The complete MotoGP riders’, teams’ and constructors’ standings after Indonesia are available in GRANDE PRÊMIO.
The next round takes place at Phillip Island, Australia, from October 23–25, with Fernández facing another demanding weekend as he recovers from the injuries sustained at Mandalika.
GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full coverage of the MotoGP championship.
