Indonesian Rider Veda Ega Makes History With Moto3 Podium in Brazil

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Young Indonesian racer Veda Ega Pratama made history on the Moto3 circuit. He finished third in the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Ayrton Senna International Circuit on Sunday evening, March 22, 2026, marking the best result ever achieved by an Indonesian rider in a Grand Prix.

Despite a race that was briefly halted due to a red flag, Veda performed calmly and consistently. The Honda Team Asia rider secured a podium finish behind two CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders: Máximo Quiles, the winner, and Marco Morelli, who finished second. "It was incredible. I struggled before the red flag came out, but this is my greatest achievement so far," Veda said in a post-race interview, as quoted by Antara.

The race in Brazil was promising from the start. Veda started from fourth position and immediately showed a competitive rhythm. Within the first few laps, he had broken into the top three. However, the intense Moto3 competition led to a collision with another rider, which forced him down to seventh place.

The situation became increasingly challenging as Veda slowly slipped to 10th place. New momentum came after race leader David Almansa of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP crashed. The incident paved the way for Quiles to take the lead, with a gap that eventually widened to four seconds.

The drama reached its peak on lap 15 when the red flag was waved. The race was temporarily halted, before being resumed for five additional laps. On the restart, Veda had to fight back from 10th place.

This is where Veda's composure and acumen were on display. He used the restart to gradually improve his position. One by one, the riders ahead of him were overtaken until he finally broke into the top three. He maintained that position until the finish line. Meanwhile, Quiles remained dominant from the restart and secured the victory, followed by Morelli in second.

For Veda, this podium was not just a race result, but a significant milestone in his career. He also improved his record at the opening round of the 2026 Moto3 season in Thailand, finishing fifth. He also expressed his appreciation for the support from his homeland. "I thank all the Indonesian people, sponsors, and family who watched from Indonesia. This is truly extraordinary," he said.

Results of the Moto3 Brazilian GP series, as quoted by Antara.

1. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Aspar Team)
2. Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Aspar Team) +0.143 seconds
3. Veda Ega Pratama (Honda Team Asia) +1.650 seconds
4. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +1.741 seconds
5. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) +1.786 seconds
6. Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +1.842 seconds
7. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +1.949 seconds
8. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) +2.522 seconds
9. Casey O'Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) +2.894 seconds
10. Hakim Danish (MT Helmets MSI) +3.083 seconds
11. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +3.158 seconds
12. Joel Kelso (GRYD MLav Racing) +3.791 seconds
13. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) +4.001 seconds
14. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets MSI) +4.374 seconds
15. Eddie O'Shea (GRYD MLav Racing) +4.750 seconds
16. Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) +6.438 seconds
17. Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) +6.595 seconds
18. Cormac Buchanan (Code Motorsports) +12.823 seconds

Did not finish (DNFs): Ruche Moodley (Code Motorsports), Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP MTA), Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team), Joel Esteban (LEVELUP MTA), David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power).

Read: Indonesian Racer Veda Ega Pratama Starts Fourth in Moto3 Brazil

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