Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP makes a promising start in Mandalika
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP made encouraging progress on the opening day of the Indonesian Grand Prix, with Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu showing improved feeling with the YZR-M1 and finishing 12th and 16th respectively.
GRAND PRIX OF INDONESIA
PRACTICE
Mandalika (indonesia), 9th October 2026
12th
JACK MILLER 1'29.883 / 25 LAPS
16th
TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU 1'30.152 / 22 LAPS
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP made a promising start to the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika, as both Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu showed encouraging signs of progress after two difficult rounds in which neither rider had been able to find a consistent feeling with the YZR-M1. Although there is still work to do, Friday's results offered a more positive starting point, with both riders showing improved competitiveness from the opening day.
After spending the morning and the first part of the afternoon session testing different solutions in search of the most effective setup, both riders made their time attacks in the closing minutes of the afternoon Practice. Their efforts brought them into the middle of the classification, with Miller finishing 12th, just over a tenth of a second away from the time required to secure direct passage to Q2.
Razgatlıoğlu ended the session in 16th position. While the Turkish rider will have to go through Q1 on Saturday, his Friday performance represents an encouraging step, particularly given his stated objective of becoming more competitive from the very first day of the weekend. Starting further up the order is an important part of his ongoing adaptation to MotoGP, allowing him to build momentum and make progress more effectively across the weekend.
Neither rider achieved direct entry to Q2, but the improved feeling and more competitive lap times provide a more positive foundation for the rest of the Indonesian Grand Prix. The team will now analyse Friday's data and work to make further improvements ahead of Saturday's qualifying sessions and Sprint.
I think today was decent enough. We should be able to find a little bit more tomorrow, and we’ll also put a fresh engine in. Overall, the bike is working pretty well around here, as we expected. There aren’t too many long straights, so we don’t rely as much on horsepower. The bike stops quite well, turns reasonably well and the traction is not too bad, which can work in our favour. We should be able to find a little more with the setup tomorrow.
I believe we have a chance to fight our way into Q2. Looking at the track layout, we knew from last year where the bike’s strengths and weaknesses were. The acceleration out of the slower corners is better than it was last year, and the bike behaves quite well here. You don’t rely too much on horsepower; it’s more about how much speed you can carry through the corners before the straights. In theory, the package should work well here, but you never really know until you get out on track.
TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP rider
Today was not bad, much better than Japan and the last four rounds. I also improved my lap time towards the end, although a yellow flag in the last sector meant I had to close the throttle and lose the lap. We are still outside the top 10, but I feel more positive and I’m finally starting to enjoy riding again.
We are working on the engine braking, and we have made some small changes that are helping me feel more comfortable. The braking is now better, but I’m still losing a lot of time in Sector 2, especially through Turns 6 and 7, where I need to improve my corner speed. If we can make a step there, I believe we have a chance to get into the 1:29s and fight for a better qualifying position.
Tomorrow is very important because I need to start further forward if I want to fight for the top 10 in the race. I’m not yet at my target level, but I feel we are getting closer. If we improve in Sector 2, I think we can make a big step. The other sectors are not so bad, so that is our main focus now.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Rider
I believe we have a chance to fight our way into Q2. Looking at the track layout, we knew from last year where the bike’s strengths and weaknesses were. The acceleration out of the slower corners is better than it was last year, and the bike behaves quite well here. You don’t rely too much on horsepower; it’s more about how much speed you can carry through the corners before the straights. In theory, the package should work well here, but you never really know until you get out on track.