Raul Fernandez celebrated a remarkable achievement at Phillip Island, marking his debut victory in MotoGP. His impressive performance also secured Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s inaugural win in the series.
Race Highlights from the Australian Grand Prix
Fernandez’s journey to victory wasn’t without competition. Fabio Di Giannantonio from Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team came from a 10th place start to finish second, just 1.4 seconds behind Fernandez. Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing clinched the final podium position after a late race push, despite facing a double Long Lap penalty.
Starting Strong
- The race began with an intense focus on optimal starts.
- Bezzecchi launched off the front row, capturing early lead.
- Fernandez quickly moved to second place, alongside Pedro Acosta from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, creating a lead over the rest of the pack.
By Lap 2, Bezzecchi was notified of his penalty. He strategically delayed serving it to build a gap against his competitors. However, Acosta eventually overtook Fernandez on Turn 1, putting himself in a strong position.
Mid-Race Battles
As the race unfolded, Bezzecchi served his first Long Lap on Lap 5, which cost him precious time. This pit strategy momentarily dropped him behind competitors like Di Giannantonio and Quartararo.
- With Lap 10 completed, Fernandez held a solid lead of 1.4 seconds over Acosta.
- Bezzecchi managed to pass Quartararo, moving into fifth place.
- By Lap 16, Marquez overtook Acosta, but the gap to Fernandez had widened to three seconds.
Closing Stages of Excitement
With just eight laps remaining, Fernandez’s lead held steady around three seconds. Di Giannantonio’s impressive maneuvers allowed him to hone in on Marquez for second place. Bezzecchi continued to chase, launching past Acosta into fourth.
In the final laps, Fernandez maintained a confident pace, while Bezzecchi fought for third place. As the checkered flag approached, Fernandez secured his debut win with a comfortable lead, showcasing exceptional skill and control.
Final Standings
Following the race, the results were as follows:
| Position | Rider | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raul Fernandez | Trackhouse MotoGP | – |
| 2 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 | +1.4s |
| 3 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing | +2.4s |
| 4 | Alex Marquez | BK8 Gresini Racing | – |
| 5 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM | +0.040s |
This victory makes Fernandez the seventh different winner of the 2025 MotoGP season. As the competition intensifies, fans can look forward to the next race at the Sepang International Circuit, where thrilling battles are expected to unfold.
