Honda Team Asia manager Hiroshi Aoyama praised Veda Ega Pratama for a “fantastic” podium finish while also addressing Mario Aji’s early crash at the MotoGP Malaysia 2026, Juara.net reported.
At the Sepang International Circuit, the Idemitsu Honda Team Asia squad experienced contrasting results from its Indonesian riders. Veda Ega Pratama delivered a standout performance in the Moto3 class, securing second place, while Mario Aji’s race in the Moto2 category ended abruptly on the second lap.
Veda’s Podium Run
Veda Ega Pratama’s race was a study in consistency and skill. The 17-year-old rider, hailing from Gunungkidul, started the Moto3 race from the eighth position on the grid. He quickly worked his way into the leading pack, battling directly with Alvaro Carpe and local rider Hakim Danish. Veda successfully held onto the second position for the entire 15-lap distance, crossing the line just behind race winner Maximo Quiles.
“Dia berhasil mengamankan posisi kedua. Itu adalah penampilan yang fantastis,” Aoyama said of Veda’s performance. “Kehadiran Veda di podium membuat hasil ini semakin istimewa bagi seluruh tim,” he added, translating to “He successfully secured second place. It was a fantastic performance. Veda’s presence on the podium makes this result even more special for the whole team.”
CNN Indonesia corroborated the significance of Veda’s achievement, noting that his runner-up finish in Malaysia became his best result in the Moto3 class. This result, his second podium of the season following a podium finish in Brazil, has solidified a successful debut campaign for the young Indonesian rider.
Aji’s Early Exit
In stark contrast, Mario Aji’s race in the Moto2 category ended in disappointment. The Magetan-born rider started from 11th position but was unable to complete even two full laps. He crashed out of the race, failing to add to his season points total. According to warungasep, Aji had shown potential before the incident, running in the top 10 when he went down.
The race marked another non-finish for Aji. Warungasep.net’s post-race standings showed Aji with only three points in the Moto2 championship, placing him 27th overall. The crash in Malaysia further hampered his progress in the competitive Moto2 class.
Championship Implications
The divergent outcomes for the two riders had a direct impact on the championship standings. Veda’s second-place lift moved him up to seventh in the Moto3 standings with 131 points, surpassing Argentina’s Valentin Perrone in the process. Hakim Danish, who also battled Veda for the podium, now sits ninth with 116 points.
Meanwhile, the championship leader in Moto3, Maximo Quiles, continues to dominate with 376 points, the only rider over the 300-point mark.
Veda’s Path to Moto3
Veda’s success is the culmination of a long and challenging journey. His career began in motocross in his hometown. He started competing in national events at age seven or eight, transitioned to road racing in 2018, and joined Asian competitions in 2021.
His progress was temporarily halted by the COVID-19 pandemic and two broken bone injuries in 2020. After recovering, he returned to training and eventually earned his place in the Moto3 world championship.
“Pastinya ada dan sampai sekarang pun masih bertanya-tanya kepada diri sendiri, apakah bisa. Itu mimpi saya. Jadi saya akan berusaha semaksimal mungkin dan kalau memang bisa, ya alhamdulillah,” Veda was quoted as saying. This translates to “Of course, I still ask myself if I can do it. It’s my dream. So I will try my best, and if it works out, thank God.”
Balancing a demanding racing career with his education, Veda has adapted by completing much of his schooling online. He has also spoken about missing his family and friends when competing abroad. Before the Sepang race, Veda had the opportunity to race in front of his home crowd at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia in Mandalika from October 9-11.
What’s Next for Veda
With his confidence high from the Malaysia result, all eyes are now on Veda Ega Pratama for the next round. The Moto3 Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 6-8 at the Losail International Circuit. The race weekend included practice sessions on November 6, qualifying on November 7, and the race itself on November 8.
Public anticipation in Indonesia is high. “Publik tanah air jelas berharap Veda Ega bisa kembali tampil ciamik di lintasan. Dengan momentum yang sedang bagus, asa itu terbuka untuk Veda,” CNN Indonesia reported, meaning “The domestic public clearly hopes Veda Ega can perform brilliantly again on the track. With the current good momentum, the hope is open for Veda.” The question remains whether he can continue his podium streak in Qatar.
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