Sepang extends MotoGP contract, talks underway for 2026

Malaysia's Grand Prix has been cancelled for the past two seasons due to Covid restrictions, but MotoGP machines returned to Sepang in February for the traditional pre-season tests.

Petronas, although no longer the main sponsor of any motorcycle grand prix teams following the closure of SRT, has signed on as title sponsor of its home race, taking over from rival petroleum company Shell.

"We’re very happy to confirm that the Grand Prix of Malaysia will remain on the calendar until at least 2024," said Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. "Malaysia is a vital market for MotoGP and it is a pleasure to race at Sepang and witness the incredible passion of the fans who fill the grandstands.

"After proving able to return to Malaysia for pre-season testing this year, we couldn’t be more eager to come back and race. We all look forward to the Grand Prix of Malaysia and seeing our Malaysian fans for many more seasons."

Sepang has been part of the MotoGP calendar since 1999, with spectator numbers reaching 'sold-out' figures of 170,778 weekend fans (103,850 on race day) in 2019.

"With record breaking crowds year on year, we look forward to welcoming the fans back to Sepang after a two-year break due to the pandemic," said Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of Sepang International Circuit. "In line with our #WelcomeHome theme, this year is about the revival of international motorsports with more unique offerings to the fans."

The big question will be how many of those Sepang fans return in the Covid (and post-Valentino Rossi) era, with the recent inaugural Mandalika round in Indonesia attracting a relatively modest 102,803 weekend fans (62,923 on race day).

Buriram in Thailand - the biggest event of the pre-Covid 2019 season with 226,655 weekend spectators, 95,000 of them on race day - is the other South East Asian MotoGP round.