Honda HRC rider Luca Marini arrived in Indonesia ahead of the 2026 MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix at the Mandalika International Street Circuit, sharing his candid observations on local culinary habits during a fan event in Tangerang on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Cultural Surprises at the Tangerang Meet and Greet
Appearing at an Inside The Racing Line
fan meet organized by Castrol in Alam Sutera, Tangerang, Marini addressed local media and supporters about his transition from Europe to Southeast Asia, as reported by oto.detik.com. The 29-year-old Italian rider admitted that everyday dining in Indonesia presented a stark contrast to his home country, particularly regarding preparation methods and dietary staples.
You really like frying everything. Seafood, fried. Chicken, also fried. But that is okay,
Marini said during the Tuesday evening event. Beyond the widespread preference for fried dishes, he noted the ubiquity of rice across local eateries and expressed mild astonishment at the intensity of Indonesian chili levels.
Rice is very easy to find in Indonesia; whenever we travel from western countries here, rice is always easy to find. Yes, absolutely, you always eat everything with rice,
Marini added. On the subject of local spice, he remarked, I am not too familiar with the names of spicy food in Indonesia. Your food is really outrageously spicy, while I only eat moderate levels.
Physical Preparation and Tight Schedule Before Lombok
The journey to Lombok follows a demanding back-to-back calendar sequence for the paddock, coming immediately after the Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi on Sunday, October 4, 2026. According to Kompas, Marini had just two days of downtime following the Motegi round to manage the physical toll of intercontinental travel before arriving in Indonesia on Monday, October 5.
To cope with the intense travel demands, Marini explained his routine of switching off mentally at the start of the week. Every rider has a different routine and preparation. I chose to switch off on Monday and Tuesday so the engineers could focus on working without distraction,
Marini stated, as noted by Kompas. Castrol Indonesia Head of Marketing Amanda Parikesit emphasized in a press release covered by Blackxperience that peak performance relies on comprehensive off-track preparation, covering training discipline, team synergy, and technical development.
Track Affinity and Honda Performance at Mandalika
Turning his focus to the sporting challenge on the 4.3-kilometer Lombok circuit, Marini expressed strong optimism regarding his prospects for the October 9–11 race weekend. CNN Indonesia reported that the Honda rider is eager to capitalize on machinery that historically suits the layout, recalling his fifth-place finish in the 2025 Grand Prix alongside a fastest time in opening practice.
Mandalika is one of the circuits I like the most, especially in sector two where I can see the sea and enjoy the atmosphere. That makes the racing feel very special,
Marini told ANTARA News Papua Tengah. He will be joined in the Honda HRC garage by Aleix Espargaro, who steps in to cover for Joan Mir while the Spanish rider recovers his full fitness.
When and Where Is the 2026 Indonesian Grand Prix?
When and where is the 2026 Indonesian Grand Prix taking place?
The race weekend runs from October 9 to October 11, 2026, at the Mandalika International Street Circuit located in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
How did Luca Marini perform at Mandalika last season?
During the 2025 race weekend, Marini secured a fifth-place finish in the main grand prix and topped the timesheets during the opening free practice (FP1) session.
Who is replacing Joan Mir in the Honda HRC lineup for this round?
Aleix Espargaro joins the team as a replacement rider because Joan Mir has not yet been cleared as fully fit to compete.
Worth a look
