This weekend's Mandalika MotoGP will have a special 'home team' in the form of VR46 Racing, thanks to their partnership with Indonesian petroleum giant Pertamina. The team's bikes will sport a bold red-and-white livery, inspired by the Indonesian flag, making them the adopted favorites for local fans.

Riders Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio di Giannantonio, who unveiled the vibrant new colors on Thursday, expressed their excitement at the overwhelming reception they've received since arriving in Indonesia.

“I felt like Justin Bieber, or even the Beatles!” said Di Giannantonio. “The energy during the parade on Wednesday was incredible, with people cheering and screaming. I’ve never seen such enthusiasm, and it’s definitely going to give us extra motivation this weekend. The livery itself is aggressive, with the Indonesian flag, and I’m hoping to do a great job.”

Bezzecchi echoed his teammate's sentiments, noting the widespread support from the local fans. “It’s a bit strange to see my face on posters all over the island, but the fans have been amazing,” he said. “We’re lucky to have this collaboration with Pertamina, and we hope to give everyone a good show.”

Alessio Salucci, VR46 team director, was equally enthusiastic about the partnership. "I am really happy that as a team we were able to honor our partnership with Pertamina Lubricants through this special livery in the colors of Indonesia. This has become our third home GP, and the welcome has been extraordinary."

Bezzecchi, who finished third in last year's Mandalika Sprint despite recovering from collarbone surgery, will be aiming for another strong performance, as will Di Giannantonio, who secured a solid fifth-place finish in the grand prix last year.

With the support of Indonesian fans and a stunning new livery, the VR46 team is ready to take on Mandalika and deliver an unforgettable performance on the track.