Key takeaways
- Mandalika concern: Marc Márquez labeled the Indonesian Grand Prix as his worst track for the remainder of the 2026 MotoGP season.
- Championship momentum: Victory in both Aragon races moved Márquez to second in the standings, just 19 points behind leader Jorge Martín.
- Troubled history: Márquez has faced concussions, mechanical failures, and shoulder injuries during every visit to the Mandalika circuit.
Fresh off a dominant sweep at the Aragon Grand Prix, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez has identified the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika as his primary point of concern for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Márquez cut the gap to championship leader Jorge Martín to just 19 points following his stellar double victory on home soil. However, when asked which remaining venue presents the greatest threat to his title defense, the Ducati rider pointed directly to his troubled past at the Asian circuit.
“Race by race. Looking at history, Indonesia is the worst, because every year I have bad memories from there,” Márquez admitted. “Outside of that, I feel okay at the rest of the circuits. So race by race. Now, it’s about recovering from this race and focusing on Misano.“
The Spaniard’s history at Mandalika is plagued with misfortune. In 2022, a violent warm-up crash caused a concussion that ruled him out of the race. He crashed out again in 2023, suffered a mechanical failure in 2024, and was taken down early by Marco Bezzecchi last year, sustaining a right shoulder injury.
Recognizing the need to capitalize on his stronger venues, Márquez stressed the importance of his Aragon performance: “If you want to have even a minimal chance of fighting for the championship, we cannot lose points on a track that is good for us. Martín and Marco will be very fast in the final part of the season.“
This title push follows an explosive stretch in motor racing, including Marc Márquez completing his dominant Aragon sweep to assert title credentials and Red Bull setting a Wednesday deadline for Isack Hadjar’s F1 return.
MotoGP returns to action from September 11–13 for the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, round 14 of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO will provide complete live coverage across all sessions. Follow updates on our news page.
Marc Márquez’s Track Record at Mandalika (Indonesian GP)
| Year | Event Outcome | Key Incident |
| 2022 | Did Not Start (DNS) | High-side crash during Sunday warm-up causing concussion |
| 2023 | Retired (DNF) | Low-side crash during the main race |
| 2024 | Retired (DNF) | Engine failure and fire on main race entry |
| 2025 | Retired (DNF) | Contact with Marco Bezzecchi resulting in right shoulder injury |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How many points is Marc Márquez behind Jorge Martín in the 2026 championship?
Following his double victory at Aragon, Marc Márquez trails championship leader Jorge Martín by 19 points.
2. Why does Marc Márquez consider the Indonesian GP his worst circuit?
Márquez has failed to finish every race held at Mandalika since its addition to the calendar due to severe crashes, injuries, and mechanical issues.
3. When is the next race on the 2026 MotoGP calendar?
The next event is the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, scheduled for September 11–13, 2026.
