Raul Fernandez secures his inaugural MotoGP win at Phillip Island, becoming the seventh unique victor this season.
Published On 19 Oct 2025
At the Australian Grand Prix, Raul Fernandez showcased an outstanding ride to claim his first-ever MotoGP victory, marking a historic win for Trackhouse Racing in the top-tier category.
Starting from second on the grid, sprint race winner Marco Bezzecchi launched aggressively, overtaking pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo before the opening turn. This swift move also enabled Fernandez and Pedro Acosta to surpass Quartararo, who had earlier set a new qualifying lap record on Saturday.
Bezzecchi’s lead, however, was short-lived due to a double long lap penalty imposed for his collision with newly crowned MotoGP champion Marc Marquez at the Indonesian GP. Despite this setback, the Aprilia rider executed his penalty and battled back to secure a commendable third place.
Bezzecchi rebounds as Bagnaia exits
Taking advantage of Bezzecchi’s penalty, Fernandez surged into the lead and, with clear track ahead, the 24-year-old Spaniard maintained an unbeatable pace.
This victory also marked a significant achievement for Aprilia, elevating them to the status of the most victorious European manufacturer in Grand Prix history with their 300th win.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed,” Fernandez expressed. “The team’s unwavering faith and support have been crucial. This success is the result of relentless dedication and effort.”
“Thanks to them, we had excellent speed throughout the race. Managing the tyres on this circuit is critical, and I focused on that, especially during the final laps. It felt like an endurance test,” he added.
Meanwhile, a fierce battle unfolded among Pedro Acosta, Alex Marquez, and Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing, with Di Giannantonio ultimately claiming second place. Bezzecchi’s remarkable comeback secured him the final podium spot.
Reflecting on his race, Bezzecchi said, “The penalty complicated things, but my strategy was spot on. I aimed for a strong start and to push hard early on. I managed to build a gap before serving the penalty, so finishing on the podium exceeded my expectations.”
Fabio Quartararo struggled throughout, eventually finishing in a disappointing 11th position.
Local favorite Jack Miller suffered a crash while running sixth, ending his hopes of a podium finish. Two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia also faced disappointment, retiring after a crash with just four laps remaining.
