PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia – 2026
PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia 2026 – MotoGP at the Sepang International Circuit
From October 30 to November 1, 2026, the MotoGP World Championship returns to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for Round 19 of the season. The PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia has been a fixture on the MotoGP calendar since 1999 and has established itself as one of the most anticipated events of the year. With a capacity of over 130,000 spectators, tropical climate conditions and one of the most technically demanding tracks on the entire calendar, Sepang consistently delivers spectacular racing.
Circuit and Challenge
The Sepang International Circuit was designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke and opened in 1999. The 5.543 km long track features 15 corners – five left-handers and ten right-handers – along with two long straights of nearly one kilometer each. The combination of high-speed sections, technical chicanes and long braking zones makes Sepang one of the most versatile circuits on the MotoGP calendar. The tropical climate with temperatures around 32°C and humidity exceeding 80% poses extreme challenges for both riders and machinery. Sudden tropical downpours can completely transform conditions within minutes and have produced some of the most dramatic races in MotoGP history.
History and Records
Since its debut in 1999, the Malaysian Grand Prix has produced countless unforgettable moments. Valentino Rossi holds the record for the most victories at Sepang with eight wins. The current lap record in the MotoGP class stands at 1:57.790 minutes. In recent years, Ducati has dominated with multiple consecutive victories, while Sepang has also established itself as the stage for tight championship battles. Beyond the Grand Prix, the circuit traditionally serves as the venue for the official MotoGP pre-season tests in February, where teams put their new machines through their paces under race conditions.
Malaysia as a Travel Destination
The Sepang International Circuit is located just a few kilometers from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), making it one of the most accessible venues on the MotoGP calendar. The Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur offers numerous attractions including the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the historic Merdeka Square district, the vibrant Jalan Alor night market and a world-class street food scene. The combination of affordable prices, excellent infrastructure and tropical atmosphere makes the Malaysian Grand Prix one of the most popular travel destinations among MotoGP fans worldwide.
Provisional Schedule (Local Time, UTC+8)
Friday, October 30
- 09:00–09:35 – Moto3™ Free Practice 1 (P1)
- 09:50–10:30 – Moto2™ Free Practice 1 (P1)
- 10:45–11:30 – MotoGP™ Free Practice 1 (P1)
- 13:15–13:50 – Moto3™ Practice Session (P2)
- 14:05–14:45 – Moto2™ Practice Session (P2)
- 15:00–16:00 – MotoGP™ Practice Session (P2)
Saturday, October 31
- 09:00–09:35 – Moto3™ Free Practice 2 (P2)
- 09:50–10:30 – Moto2™ Free Practice 2 (P2)
- 10:45–11:15 – MotoGP™ Free Practice (FP)
- 11:15–12:00 – MotoGP™ Qualifying (Q1/Q2)
- 13:15 – Moto3™ Qualifying
- 14:05 – Moto2™ Qualifying
- 15:00 – MotoGP™ Tissot Sprint
Sunday, November 1
- 09:40 – MotoGP™ Warm-Up
- 11:00 – Moto3™ Race
- 12:15 – Moto2™ Race
- 14:00 – MotoGP™ Grand Prix
Note: This schedule is provisional and based on the standard MotoGP format for the Sepang International Circuit. The final timetable will be confirmed by FIM and Dorna Sports ahead of the race weekend.
Event Details
Event: PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia 2026 (Rd. 19)
Date: October 30 – November 1, 2026
Circuit: Sepang International Circuit, Sepang, Malaysia
Circuit Length: 5.543 km (15 corners)
Timezone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur (UTC+8)
Organizer: Dorna Sports / FIM
Tickets: tickets.motogp.com
Website: motogp.com · sepangcircuit.com
