Mario Aji Secures First Points of the Season at Brazilian Moto2 Grand Prix
GOIÂNIA, BRAZIL – Honda Team Asia’s Mario Suryo Aji achieved a significant milestone at the Brazilian Moto2 Grand Prix on Sunday, March 22, 2026, securing his first points of the 2026 season with a 13th-place finish at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia. The result marks a positive step forward for the Indonesian rider and provides the first championship points for Honda Team Asia this year.
The race, held in extremely hot conditions, proved challenging for all riders. Aji, starting from ninth on the grid, initially dropped to 11th position on the first lap. While the front of the pack saw a battle for the lead between several riders, with Daniel Holgado consistently maintaining the top spot from the third lap onwards, Aji found himself gradually losing ground as the race progressed.
Despite the challenging conditions and a dip in position, Aji demonstrated competitive pace throughout much of the race, remaining within striking distance of the top 10 during the first half. However, tire management became a critical factor in the latter stages, ultimately impacting his ability to maintain his earlier position. He ultimately crossed the finish line in 13th place, earning three valuable championship points.
“It was a very hot and long race, and both riders were fighting hard in these conditions,” said Hiroshi Aoyama, Team Manager of IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia. “They were consistent and both had the chance to fight for points during the race. Unfortunately, Taiyo crashed near the end while he was still fighting close to the points, but the positive thing is that he is okay. On Mario’s side, he gave his best today and finished P13.”
While the 13th-place finish may not have been the result Aji was aiming for after a strong weekend of practice – where he showed impressive speed and consistency – it represents a clear sign of progress and a foundation for future success. The Indonesian rider had previously shown promise with a third-place finish in the first free practice session and a fifth-place qualifying result.
The Brazilian Grand Prix also saw a challenging race for Aji’s teammate, Taiyo Furusato. The Japanese rookie showed encouraging signs of competitiveness, running around 16th position and demonstrating good pace. However, a late-race crash prevented him from finishing the race, despite being in a points-scoring position.
The Honda Team Asia now shifts its focus to the next round of the Moto2 championship at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Both Aji and Furusato will be looking to build on their experiences in Brazil and continue to improve their performance as the season progresses. Aji, in particular, will be aiming to translate his promising pace into stronger results and consistently challenge for points.
For Mario Aji, this result is particularly significant as he continues to pursue his ambition of progressing to MotoGP, even while recovering from a shoulder injury. The points earned in Brazil provide a boost of confidence and momentum as he strives to achieve his long-term goals in the world of motorcycle racing.
The Moto2 championship standings will be closely watched as the series moves to the United States, with riders vying for position and valuable points in their quest for the title. The Circuit of the Americas presents a different challenge with its unique track layout and varying weather conditions, promising another exciting race for fans around the globe.
Next up for the Moto2 World Championship is the Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Practice begins on Friday, April 10, 2026, with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday, April 11, 2026. Fans can follow live coverage on official MotoGP broadcast partners.
