In what will be remembered as one of the more surprising outcomes of the 2025 MotoGP championship season, 24-year-old Spaniard Raúl Fernández took a stunning maiden MotoGP race win at Phillip Island, Australia, riding the newly-launched team Trackhouse Racing’s Aprilia to the top step of the podium.
From the drop of the lights, the narrative changed dramatically. Pole-man Fabio Quartararo, who had smashed the lap record in qualifying with a blistering 1 26.465, could not convert his front-row lock-out into a smooth run. Meanwhile, the real early mover was Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, who snatched the lead at the first corner from Quartararo and appeared primed for the win. However, his weekend-long challenge was compounded by a double long-lap penalty handed down for his incident with Marc Márquez in Indonesia.
Race Overview
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island delivered a thrilling mix of speed, strategy, and drama, culminating in a breakthrough victory for Raúl Fernández. The 24-year-old Spaniard guided Trackhouse Aprilia to his first-ever premier-class triumph, marking both a personal milestone and the team’s inaugural MotoGP win. From the opening laps, the race promised excitement as Fabio Quartararo, fresh from a record-breaking 1:26.465 pole lap, struggled to convert his front-row start into a commanding lead.
Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi, who had stolen the early lead from Quartararo at Turn 1, carried the burden of a double long-lap penalty for a previous collision at the Indonesian GP, which would later heavily influence the race outcome. As the penalty was served on lap 5 and lap 7, Fernández seized the opportunity, moving past to take control. His composed ride combined excellent pace management and tyre preservation, allowing him to steadily build a lead that he maintained to the chequered flag.
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Key Performances and Setbacks
Behind Fernández, Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered one of the weekend’s standout performances. Starting from 10th on the grid, the VR46 Ducati rider executed a meticulous charge through the field, demonstrating both patience and raw pace to secure second place. Bezzecchi, despite his early setbacks due to the long-lap penalties, recovered sufficiently to claim the final podium spot, highlighting both his skill and the competitiveness of the Aprilia machinery. The race also delivered heartbreak for the home fans, as Jack Miller, who had qualified on the front row and raised hopes for an Australian podium, crashed out on lap 6. Similarly, Francesco Bagnaia endured another disappointing weekend, crashing from a grid penalty position and leaving Phillip Island empty-handed. These contrasting fortunes emphasized just how unpredictable and demanding the coastal circuit can be, particularly with gusty winds and tricky tyre conditions challenging even the most experienced riders.
Race Results
- Raúl Fernández – 39m 49.571s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio – +1.418s
- Marco Bezzecchi – +2.410s
- Alex Márquez – +3.715s
- Pedro Acosta – +7.930s
- Luca Marini – +7.970s
- Alex Rins – +10.671s
- Brad Binder – +12.270s
- Enea Bastianini – +14.076s
- Pol Espargaro – +16.861s
- Fabio Quartararo – +16.965s
- Miguel Oliveira – +17.677s
- Ai Ogura – +17.928s
- Fermin Aldeguer – +18.413s
- Franco Morbidelli – +27.881s
- Lorenzo Savadori – +34.169s
- Somkiat Chantra – +50.043s
- Michele Pirro – +50.303s
- Francesco Bagnaia – DNF
- Joan Mir – DNF
- Jack Miller – DNF
- Johann Zarco – DNF
Read More: Fermin Aldeguer Wins Indonesian GP as Marquez Crashes Out
Raúl Fernández’s victory was significant not only personally but historically. It marked Trackhouse Racing’s first MotoGP win and Aprilia’s 300th Grand Prix victory, reinforcing Aprilia’s growing stature among Europe’s elite manufacturers. Strategically, tyre management proved crucial at Phillip Island, with most teams opting for a hard front and medium rear setup to counter both the high-speed corners and coastal winds.
With Marc Márquez already wrapping up the championship in Japan, the result does not have an effect on the title standings, but it injects renewed energy and momentum into the fight for podiums and positions 2–5. Di Giannantonio’s strong showing and Bezzecchi’s podium despite penalties underline the competitive intensity in the closing rounds of the season.
In the end, Phillip Island once again delivered a perfect blend of emotion, speed, and unpredictability, confirming its reputation as one of the most exciting circuits on the MotoGP calendar.
