Watch MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix — Practice 2 Free.

What's at Stake

The second practice session at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit is one of the most critical hours of the weekend, as it directly decides which ten riders secure automatic entry into Saturday's Qualifying 2. With the tropical Indonesian heat and unpredictable track grip posing constant challenges, missing out on the top ten forces riders into the high-pressure Qualifying 1 shootout. For the championship contenders, securing a direct spot in Q2 is vital to avoid traffic and minimize the risk of a costly grid penalty or crash in the early sessions.

Form Guide

Heading into the Indonesian Grand Prix, the battle at the front of the grid remains incredibly tight as the flyaway rounds of the championship begin to dictate the title race. Ducati's dominant machinery has historically performed well on Mandalika's fast, flowing layout, but high track temperatures and sudden changes in wind direction have previously allowed agile inline-four configurations and late-braking specialists to mount strong challenges. Momentum is key at this stage of the season, and those who can quickly find a baseline setup on Friday morning will hold a massive advantage in this crucial afternoon session.

Key Players to Watch

• Jorge Martín — Known for his explosive single-lap pace, the Spaniard is always a favorite to top the Friday afternoon timesheets and secure an easy passage into Q2.
• Francesco Bagnaia — The reigning champion excels at methodical race preparation, but he will need to find immediate speed to avoid the trap of Q1 at a track that has punished early mistakes in the past.
• Marc Márquez — A master of adapting to low-grip conditions and saving front-end slides, his aggressive style makes him a constant threat around the demanding Mandalika curves.

Prediction

Expect Ducati to dominate the top of the timesheets as their riders utilize the soft rear tyre option in the final ten minutes of the session. Jorge Martín is predicted to top the session, using his trademark qualifying-style intensity to edge out Francesco Bagnaia for the fastest lap. Meanwhile, the final automatic Q2 spots will likely be decided by less than a tenth of a second, with at least one high-profile factory rider surprisingly forced into the Q1 shootout.