The Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2024 returned to Lombok’s Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit from 27 to 29 September 2024, marking round 15 of the MotoGP™ World Championship season. Set against tropical coastline and mountain backdrops, the weekend combined elite motorcycle racing with Indonesia’s push to grow international tourism and investment in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Read more: MotoGP Mandalika: A Game-Changer for Lombok’s Real Estate and Investment Potential

Race Weekend Highlights

MotoGP™ activity at Mandalika included free practice, qualifying, the Sprint on Saturday, and the full Grand Prix on Sunday, 29 September. In the premier-class race, Jorge Martín (Pramac Ducati) took victory in 41 minutes 4.389 seconds, ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo)—a result that tightened the 2024 title fight and gave Martín a landmark win at a circuit where he had previously struggled.

The 4.301 km street layout—17 corners with a mix of left and right-handers—tests riders with heat, humidity, and abrasive asphalt. Official circuit information notes capacity for large crowds within an integrated resort and entertainment zone, making race week a magnet for both dedicated fans and first-time visitors exploring southern Lombok.

Pertamina’s Role and Local Economic Impact

Title sponsor Pertamina uses the Grand Prix to showcase Indonesia on the global motorsport map while channelling benefits toward local communities. Company representatives have highlighted engagement with dozens of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during race week— from hospitality and crafts to logistics—so that international exposure translates into orders and partnerships for NTB businesses.

Beyond branding, Pertamina’s long-term involvement supports infrastructure narratives around Mandalika: improved access roads, visitor services, and coordinated promotion with provincial tourism boards. For property investors and resort operators, major sporting calendars provide predictable peaks in occupancy and help validate master-planned destinations adjacent to the circuit.

VR46 Partnership and “Sportainment” Strategy

A visible strand of Pertamina’s international strategy is its lubricants partnership with the VR46 Racing Team, associated with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. The collaboration, extended through the mid-2020s, places Pertamina Enduro branding on world-championship machinery and links national pride with product quality benchmarks tested in elite competition.

Corporate communications have framed the Mandalika event as part of a broader “sportainment” approach—blending sport, concerts, fan zones, and cultural programming. That mix aligns with Indonesia’s ambition to host repeatable world-class events rather than one-off spectacles, giving Lombok a differentiated story alongside beach and eco-tourism assets.

Mandalika Circuit in Context

Opened to international competition in the early 2020s, the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit quickly became a signature venue for MotoGP™ and other series. Its seaside setting—often described in official materials as combining racing with beach and landscape views—supports extended stays: fans frequently pair grandstand tickets with trips to Kuta Mandalika, Tanjung Aan, and cultural sites across Lombok.

Technical regulations continued to evolve in 2024, including tyre-pressure monitoring rules that affected post-race classifications in some classes. Such details underline how professional motorsport operates under strict governance—another signal to international audiences that Indonesia can deliver events to global standards.

Supporting Classes and Fan Experience

The Indonesia weekend also featured Moto2™ and Moto3™ categories on the same 4.301 km layout, giving rising stars track time on a demanding circuit and filling the schedule with paddock activity from Thursday through Sunday. Official MotoGP™ materials describe grandstand and hospitality packages that combine racing with beach access—an experience difficult to replicate at purely inland venues. Fan zones, team merchandise, and transport shuttles from Mataram and airport hotels became part of the standard visitor journey in 2024, reducing friction for international guests unfamiliar with local roads.

Media coverage highlighted how Mandalika’s tropical setting contrasts with European rounds, reinforcing Indonesia’s unique selling point in the championship calendar. That visual identity helps tourism boards craft year-round campaigns that reference MotoGP™ footage even months after the chequered flag.

Implications for Lombok Tourism and Investment

Grand Prix weekends generate concentrated media reach: broadcasters and digital platforms carry images of Lombok worldwide, shortening the mental distance for travellers considering Indonesia beyond Bali. Hospitality clusters near the circuit—and secondary hubs in Mataram and Senggigi—benefit from advance bookings, while tour operators package race tickets with surfing, diving, and highland excursions.

For long-horizon investors, the recurring calendar supports demand for serviced accommodation, retail, and medical services (important for event crews and visitors). NTB’s strategy of pairing marquee sports with infrastructure upgrades reinforces Lombok’s positioning as a diversified destination rather than a seasonal beach market alone. Secondary homeowners and villa operators often report enquiry spikes in the quarter leading to race week, making the Grand Prix a useful anchor for marketing calendars and dynamic pricing models.

Looking Ahead

Each successful Mandalika round strengthens the case for future MotoGP™ and related championships in Indonesia. Pertamina’s continued sponsorship, SME activation, and team partnerships suggest the Grand Prix will remain a cornerstone event—one that celebrates competition while anchoring economic opportunity for Lombok’s communities.

Whether you followed the 2024 championship battle or plan to experience a future race in person, the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia encapsulates how world sport and local development can intersect on one of the archipelago’s most dramatic circuits.

Local authorities continue to refine traffic management, waste handling, and vendor licensing around race week—practical details that protect community goodwill while keeping Mandalika attractive for return visitors and championship organisers weighing long-term calendar slots. For many fans, that professionalism confirms Lombok as a destination worth revisiting outside race season as well.

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