On a wet track, Fabio Quartararo, who started from pole position, finished in 2nd place in the Moto GP Grand Prix of Indonesia behind the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira. Johann Zarco also climbed on the podium by signing a fine 3rd place.
Despite the one hour delay, due to heavy rain, the show was there on the new Mandalika route. And it was provided largely by the French. However, these conditions are far from pleasing Fabio Quartararo. But he is not the reigning world champion for nothing.
Author of the pole, the Niçois had a good start before quickly demoting to 5and square. He could then fear to relive the scenario of the Grand Prix in Qatar, where he had finished at a disappointing 8and square. But what happened next was completely different.
Over the laps, he managed to climb back to 2and place without however returning to Miguel Oliveira, who won his 4and victory in Moto GP. Even if he could have joined the fight for victory if the race had not been shortened (20 laps instead of 27).
Miguel Oliveira wins a dantesque race marked by a 2 hour delay in the pouring rain @FabioQ20 and @JohannZarco1 finish on the podium #IndonesianGP #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/7auchsjSCY
— CANAL+ MotoGP™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) March 20, 2022
This did not prevent him from bursting with joy at the finish, celebrating this 2nd place before his entire team. “I did not expect that. But from the warm-up lap, I felt something more when I have trouble when it rains. I was much better, saw an opportunity and went for it. It’s the first time I’ve driven so well on a wet track. I’m very happy because we found something and I liked it,” said Fabio Quartararo.
With this 2and instead, it dates back to 3and world championship standings three points behind leader Enea Bastianini, 11and in Indonesia, and a unit of Brad Binder. Johann Zarco points to him at 5and place after getting on the 3and step of the podium.
Struggling at the start, he was able to maintain an impressive pace to finish behind Oliveira and his compatriot. “It was difficult to overtake. I was wasting time on outings. When the track was clear with nobody in front, I was the fastest. But this third place, I take!”, he launched on arrival. And Zarco as well as Quartararo will try to do as well or even better in fifteen days in Argentina.