The Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna delivered thrilling races across the Moto3 and Moto2 classes, punctuated by a red flag in Moto3 and a strong debut performance for Pirelli tires. Maximo Quiles secured victory in a dramatic Moto3 race, although Dani Holgado claimed the win in Moto2 after a tense battle with Dani Munoz, marking a successful weekend for both riders.
The weekend wasn’t without its challenges, particularly in Moto3 where a series of crashes raised concerns about track conditions. However, Pirelli’s tires demonstrated versatility and consistency, adapting to demanding conditions and high asphalt temperatures during their first appearance at the Brazilian circuit. The event also saw a historic moment for Indonesian motorsport, with Veda Pratama achieving his first podium finish in Moto3.
Moto3 Drama and Quiles’ Victory
The Moto3 race was anything but straightforward. Joel Esteban started on pole position for the first time in his career, but his race was cut short by a highside crash on lap 7, requiring medical attention, GPblog reports. Championship leader David Almansa also suffered a crash on lap 13, impacting his chances of securing a second win this season. Multiple incidents led to the deployment of red flags on lap 15 following further high-side crashes.
The red flag ultimately benefited Maximo Quiles, who capitalized on the restart to hold off his Aspar teammate, Marco Morelli, for the victory. Indonesian rookie Veda Pratama secured a remarkable podium finish in only his second race in the class, finishing third. Honda Racing highlighted Pratama’s achievement as a milestone for Indonesian motorsport, marking the first time an Indonesian rider has stood on a Moto3 podium.
Moto3 Race Results (Top 10):
- 1. M. Quiles (CFMoto Aspar Team)
- 2. M. Morelli (CFMoto Aspar Team)
- 3. V. Pratama (Honda Team Asia)
- 4. A. Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
- 5. G. Pini (Leopard Racing)
- 6. R. Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3)
- 7. V. Perroni (Red Bull KTM Tech3)
- 8. A. Fernandez (Leopard Racing)
- 9. C. O’Gormann (SIC58 Squadra Corse)
- 10. H. Danish (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI)
Holgado Secures Moto2 Victory
In Moto2, Dani Holgado emerged victorious after a closely contested race, holding off a late charge from Dani Munoz to claim his second win of the year. Motorsport Week reported that the race was a tense affair, with Holgado demonstrating strong pace and consistency throughout.
Pirelli’s Successful Debut
Beyond the race results, Pirelli’s debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix was considered a success. According to a statement from Pirelli, riders in Moto2 opted for the softest compounds available on both axles, a familiar choice based on data gathered during Saturday’s practice sessions. In Moto3, the race restart led to a shift towards softer compounds as well, with Quiles notably winning the race using an SC2 front tire.
“Selecting the tyres for the race was not an easy task for teams and riders,” Pirelli stated. “Our evaluation is positive: in demanding conditions, our tyres showed excellent versatility, adapting well to different temperature ranges, while also maintaining a strong performance consistency over the race distance.” The tire manufacturer noted that the high asphalt temperatures presented a key variable, but their tires performed well under the circumstances.
Looking Ahead
The MotoGP World Championship now moves to Austin, Texas, for the Grand Prix of the Americas next weekend. The performance of both Holgado and Quiles will be closely watched as the season progresses, alongside Pirelli’s continued evaluation of their tire performance across different circuits and conditions. The Brazilian Grand Prix has set the stage for an exciting continuation of the 2026 season, with riders and teams looking to build on their momentum.
What are your thoughts on the dramatic Moto3 race and Pirelli’s successful debut? Share your opinions in the comments below!
