Raul Fernandez finished second at the Indonesian Grand Prix despite riding with two broken fingers. He admitted he did not know how he managed the feat after crossing the line. This result stands as a testament to raw determination and quick thinking by the Trackhouse Aprilia team. While others would have quit, Fernandez found a way to brake and finish strong.
The Brake Problem Solved
The main issue was the index finger on his right hand, which is the one he normally uses to brake. Following the sprint race’s initial injury, a second fracture was discovered on Sunday morning. The team had to act fast to make the bike usable again. They adjusted the hand position and tweaked the brake lever setup.
Fernandez explained the change in his own words, according to Motorsport.com: “The problem for me was how I would brake. That was my question before the warm-up. The team made some changes on the position of my hand, and a little bit on the brake.” These small tweaks allowed him to use his middle finger instead. It was a simple fix that made a massive difference.
Living Through the Pain
The pain was not the only challenge he faced. Fernandez reported that the sensation of riding changed completely after the adjustments. He had to relearn how to enter corners and handle the bike from scratch. By the middle of the race, the physical toll became overwhelming for the Spaniard.
He described the struggle vividly: “After 13-14 laps I was almost destroyed. It felt super painful…” Maintaining focus on the handlebars while avoiding errors proved super difficult. Despite the agony, he held the lead for a significant portion of the contest. Marco Bezzecchi eventually passed him on lap 19, but Fernandez still secured the podium spot.
A Team Effort Under Fire
Fernandez credited the medical staff for their role in making the ride possible. Dr Angel Charte and the clinic staff applied special tape to keep the finger stable. This support was crucial for keeping the rider relaxed on the bike during such a high-stress event. Without that help, he might not have been able to race at all.
The result cleared the air between teammates after a messy sprint clash the day before. Bezzecchi won the race with a margin of 4.2 seconds, while Fernandez took second. Jorge Martin finished third to reclaim the championship lead. The Aprilia squad locked out the top four positions, proving their dominance on Sunday.
