Honda Struggles in Indonesian GP Practice, Lagging Behind Competitors

Honda experienced a disappointing start to the Indonesian Grand Prix practice in Mandalika, finishing as the slowest manufacturer on Friday. Factory rider Luca Marini reported a time that was 1.3 seconds slower than the best lap of the day, placing him 14th among the four RC213Vs.

Marini's performance was notably below expectations, especially given his fifth-place finish at the same venue last year. He expressed confusion over the lack of improvement, stating that he struggled with grip and comfort on the bike. LCR's Johann Zarco and rookie Diogo Moreira also faced difficulties, with Zarco finishing 18th and Moreira in 19th after two crashes.

Both Marini and Moreira highlighted issues with tire feedback and overall bike setup, indicating that the team needs to make significant adjustments to be competitive. Zarco noted that the baseline setup was inadequate, and improvements were slow to materialize during practice.