Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP to Return to Action in Sepang

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are determined to push to the limit at the Sepang International Circuit during this weekend's Grand Prix of Malaysia, Round 19 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship.

Sepang (Malaysia), 28th October 2026

Following the unfortunate cancellation of the race at Phillip Island last Sunday, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are eager to start the action again. They have travelled from Australia to Malaysia for Round 19 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, held this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit.

Fabio Quartararo holds on to 15th place in the championship standings, and he will be on the attack again this weekend. He has raced at the Sepang circuit eight times (in the Moto3 class in 2016, in Moto2 in 2017 and 2018, and in MotoGP in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) and never finished a full-length race outside the top 7. He came close to a podium in 2016, finishing fourth, and in 2018, 2023 and 2025, when he finished fifth. He had his first and only podium finish on Malaysian soil in 2022, when he secured third place despite riding with a hand injury sustained in a crash earlier that weekend.

Álex Rins arrives in Malaysia holding 20th place in the rankings. The Spaniard was disappointed for the fans that the race at Phillip Island didn’t take place and is keen to make up for it with a good show this weekend. He is looking forward to the Malaysian GP, especially since Sepang historically is a good track for him. He secured second place there in 2013 and third place in 2014 in the Moto3 class, and in the premier class he rode to second place in 2018.

The Sepang International Circuit staged its first Grand Prix in 1999 and has been on the MotoGP calendar ever since. The 5.54 km track has a reputation for providing very exciting racing thanks to a mixture of slow and medium-to-high-speed corners (five left and ten right) and two long straights, the longest measuring 920 m. The circuit is also one of the longest tracks of the MotoGP season, and the riders have to negotiate it in extremely hot and humid conditions, making this GP extra challenging.

The Grand Prix of Malaysia is held in the GMT+8 time zone. FP1 will take place on Friday from 10:45-11:30 local track time and Practice will be held from 15:00-16:00. On Saturday, FP2 will be held from 10:10-10:40, and the qualifying sessions from 10:50-11:30, followed by the 10-lap Sprint at 15:00. On Sunday, Warm Up is held from 10:40-10:50 and the 20-lap Race will start at 15:00.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director

"After an unusual end to the Australian GP weekend, our focus is now fully on Sepang. Historically, this circuit has often suited our package, and it is a track where both Fabio and Álex have achieved strong results in the past. We also have valuable reference data from our previous testing here, although the bike has continued to evolve since then. Sepang is always a demanding venue because of the heat, humidity, and the physical nature of the layout, but it also provides a good benchmark to assess performance. We are motivated to make the most of this weekend."

FABIO QUARTARARO
Rider, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"I'm happy to be back in Sepang. It's a track that I enjoy, and normally the racing there is always interesting. The bike has changed since last year, so it will be important to see where we stand as quickly as possible on Friday. After what happened in Australia, everyone is looking forward to getting back on track and racing again. The Malaysian fans are always very passionate, and I'm excited to see them this weekend."

ÁLEX RINS
Rider, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"I'm really looking forward to racing in Sepang. After Phillip Island, all we want is to get back on the bike and put on a good show for the fans – for sure they were all disappointed last weekend. I've always enjoyed this track, and I've had some good results here in the past. The conditions can be quite tough because of the heat and humidity, but that's part of the challenge. We'll work hard from the first session, try to find a good feeling with the bike, and see what we can achieve during the weekend."

Links & Download

#MalaysianGP | Michelin Race Guide

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