Eyewitnessnews – Jakarta March 23/2026
Indonesia has once again carved its name into the history books of global motorsports. Young national prodigy, Veda Ega Pratama, successfully secured a third-place finish (P3) at the Moto3 Brazilian Grand Prix. This achievement marks him as the first-ever Indonesian rider to stand on the podium at this prestigious level.
This milestone is a significant breakthrough for national motorsport development, underscoring the global competitiveness of Indonesian talent. Veda delivered an impressive performance on a challenging track, demonstrating consistency and grit to lock in a historic podium for his country. His success is the result of a structured, multi-tier development program initiated from an early age, including intensive racing experience at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit.
Veda first tasted the competitive atmosphere at The Mandalika in 2021 as an Asia Talent Cup wildcard. In 2022, he returned to record a double victory at the circuit before eventually being crowned the 2023 Asia Talent Cup champion. He has also been a regular fixture in the Mandalika Racing Series (MRS), competing in the 250cc class in 2023 and moving up to the 600cc class in 2024. His international journey continued as the runner-up of the 2025 Red Bull Rookies Cup—a crucial stepping stone before breaking into Moto3. This extensive track time has made the circuit a cornerstone of his career development.
This talent pipeline is further bolstered by the evolving ecosystem at The Mandalika. InJourney, alongside InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), has introduced various tiered development programs and competitions. One such initiative is the Mandalika Racing Series, a collaboration with Pride Motorsport, which serves as a strategic platform to scout and groom young riders for the international stage.
Beyond hosting world-class racing events, the development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is geared toward becoming a premier “sportainment” destination, integrating sports, entertainment, and tourism into a sustainable ecosystem.
InJourney President Director, Maya Watono, expressed her pride in Veda’s international achievement. “We are immensely proud of Veda Ega Pratama for bringing honor to Indonesia on the world stage. InJourney serves as a support system that continues to empower and back Indonesian riders to compete globally,” she stated.
She added that this support is materialized through the strengthening of the national motorsport ecosystem, including the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. Since 2021, the international-standard circuit has hosted elite events such as MotoGP and World Superbike. This infrastructure provides Indonesian riders the opportunity to train and compete on a global-standard track, enhancing their technical readiness, mental fortitude, and international competitiveness.
Acting President Director of ITDC, Ahmad Fajar, noted: “Veda Ega Pratama’s achievement is concrete proof that developing The Mandalika as a sportainment ecosystem does more than just host world-class events—it produces globally competitive Indonesian motorsport talent. His presence at the 2026 Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia will be a pivotal moment in strengthening The Mandalika’s positioning as a world-class sport tourism destination.”
Furthermore, Veda Ega Pratama is confirmed to race in front of his home crowd at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, scheduled for October 9–11, 2026, at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. His participation will serve as a momentous homecoming, allowing him to showcase his world-class skills before the Indonesian public.
President Director of MGPA, Priandhi Satria, added: “Veda’s podium in the Moto3 Brazil GP proves the effectiveness of the tiered development programs at the Mandalika International Circuit. We are optimistic that his presence at the 2026 Indonesia MotoGP will inspire and further accelerate the resurgence of national motorsports.”
This historic achievement in Brazil is expected to inspire Indonesia’s younger generation and solidify the nation’s position as an emerging power in global motorsports. With continued support from all stakeholders, Indonesia remains optimistic about cultivating more elite talents capable of excelling on the international stage.
Reporter: Daniel Herry
