Last week in Australia the racing got cut short for all series. However, there’s no rest as MotoGP and the intermediate classes head straight to Sepang for the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia. Marc Márquez enters the weekend as the new championship leader, ten points ahead of Jorge Martín.
Last year in Malaysia, Francesco Bagnaia took the Sprint win from pole position. It was a dominant victory, 2.259 seconds ahead of Álex Márquez in second and 5.155 seconds ahead of Pedro Acosta in third. It was a different story during Sunday‘s feature race, however, as Bagnaia lost the lead on the second lap and then crashed out of third place on Lap 18. Á. Márquez won ahead of Acosta and Joan Mir took third.
In Moto2, Daniel Holgado secured pole position by nearly five tenths. Come the race, he couldn’t find the speed and ultimately ended fourth. Jake Dixon took his final Moto2 victory with David Alonso and Barry Baltus completing the podium.
The Moto3 weekend was marred by a big incident on the sighting laps. José Antonio Rueda collided with Noah Dettwiler after the former suffered a mechanical issue and slowed down. Both riders were critically injured, with immediate medical attention required trackside and Dettwiler was consequently hospitalised. Fortunately, the Swiss rider recently returned to racing in the Italian Supersport Challenge.
When the race finally got underway, it was shortened to ten laps. David Almansa started from pole position but Taiyo Furusato shone. The Japanese rider took his maiden Moto3 win. In the reduced race, he had a 2.259 second winning margin over Ángel Piqueras and Almansa.
Sepang International Circuit
This 3.44-mile circuit is found south of Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, in Sepang. It is one of the many tracks Hermann Tilke has designed and was constructed between 1997 and 1999. Both Formula 1 and MotoGP have a long-rooted history at the circuit, with both championships having raced there since its debut. 2026 marked Sepang’s return to the F1 calendar as it hosted the Bahrain Grand Prix. For MotoGP, it has only been off the calendar during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose built track also holds a hotel, a shopping centre, sports facilities and a golf course. But the track itself is one of the longest on the calendar. Riders face 15 corners, 10 to the right and five to the left. The two main straights are connected by a slow-speed hairpin to reset the laps. Sepang International Circuit blends technical, slow-speed corners with fast, flowing sectors. Mix that with the undeniable humidity and heat of Malaysia and it creates a challenging track. However, the wide circuit also produces multiple racing lines, making it ideal for action and giving plenty of overtaking spots.
Francesco Bagnaia set the all-time lap record here in 2024 with his 1:56.337 pole time. Dani Pedrosa has achieved pole position five times whereas Valentino Rossi has the most wins with six. Coming into the race in 2026, Álex Márquez is the reigning winner and he’ll look to repeat the feat.
Simoncelli’s Legacy
Sepang has a heartbreaking history, though. At the 2011 Malaysia Grand Prix, Marco Simoncelli lost traction into Turn 11. As he headed towards the gravel, he managed to gain the traction and return to track but collision was inevitable. He collided with Rossi and Colin Edwards and was catapulted from his bike. Unfortunately, he lost his life at the circuit’s medical centre.
Simoncelli has not been forgotten, however. The Misano World Circuit renamed the track in his honour. Over the years, athletes from a range of series from Formula One to football have honoured his legacy. As a result of his passing, MotoGP also retired his number, 58.
The loss of Simoncelli also gave way to a range of initiatives. Valentino Rossi consequently created his VR46 academy to give young riders mentorship. Speaking to The Race in 2021, Rossi explained how the academy was a tribute to his friend and competitor. Simoncelli’s father, Paolo, also created his own racing team in his honour — Sic58 Squadra Corse — which competes in Moto3.
Coming to Malaysia in 2026
Both the MotoGP and Moto2 title battles are heating up as they head to Malaysia. With the action being cancelled in Australia, it’s coming down to the wire. Five and a half points separate Manuel González and Izan Guevara in Moto2. The former has been building momentum in the latter half of the season, but has González’s recent pole position given him the needed boost?
Marc Márquez’s sprint win gave him the chance to break free of the battle and now he stands ten points ahead of Jorge Martín. The #89 was unlucky last weekend, fracturing his hand and being declared unfit to ride. However, the damage was limited considering the cancellation. He has not returned to Spain for treatment, so there is a chance he could race this weekend.
After falling ill following the San Marino Grand Prix, Joan Mir is set to make his comeback in Malaysia. He’ll be looking to readjust to racing after four races away. Iker Lecuona once again fills in for Fermín Aldeguer.
Schedule
The schedule for the weekend is as follows. Please note that all times are in CET.
For the 19th time this year, it’s time to go racing. With racing in Qatar still under question, this weekend could be a crucial moment in the championship so all riders will be pushing to their limits. Sepang is known for its heartbreaking moments and close racing, what will happen this year?