 | |
| Grand Prix motorcycle racing | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Petronas Sepang International Circuit (1999–2019, 2022–present) Johor Circuit (1998) Shah Alam Circuit (1991–1997) |
| First race | 1991 |
| Most wins (rider) | Valentino Rossi (7) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Honda (34) |
TheMalaysian motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of theFIMGrand Prix motorcycle racing season. The event is due to take place at thePetronas Sepang International Circuit until at least 2026.[1]
The first Malaysian Grand Prix was held in1991 at theShah Alam Circuit as the final race of the season.[2] Because of the long trip and high cost, many riders chose to not participate in this event.[3][4] The 500cc race was won byJohn Kocinski.[2] The event was notorious due to the tropical temperatures and a high degree of humidity, something which plagued the riders for four consecutive years – from1992 to1995 respectively.[5][6][7][8]
In1998, the race was moved from Shah Alam to theJohor Circuit.[2] The reason for the change was because of the1997 Asian financial crisis that hit Malaysia at this time. While the richSultan of Selangor protected the grand prix for years, the local government was no longer able to host the race at the venue. The circuit of Johor Bahru, close to the country ofSingapore, was chosen and as a result, the circuit was overhauled: it was modernised and a new layer of asphalt was put on it. While there were pebbles on the track that kicked up and were a nuisance to the riders, the most shocking thing that happened during the weekend was whenLucio Cecchinello drove over the tail of a passingCobra, which then looked up before getting hit at high speed by the leg ofGino Borsoi.[9]
In1999 theSepang International Circuit, designed byHermann Tilke, had finished construction. The circuit was not only more modern and purpose-built compared to Johor, it also lay close toKuala Lumpur International Airport. As a result, the race for that season was moved to Sepang along withFormula One, who held its first race at the country in the same year.[10][11] Since 1999, the Sepang circuit has hosted the Malaysian GP every year until2020.[2][4]
In2006, the distance between the grid positions was increased following the2006 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix where multiple riders crashed on the first corner. On Saturday afternoon, the circuit was hit by a hefty thunderstorm: a lot of rain fell and as a result, the qualifying practice of the MotoGP and second practice of the 250cc classes were cancelled. This caused a problem because there was no official starting times. The problem was solved by combining the three best times set by all riders on Friday practice.[12][13][14]
In2010,Valentino Rossi won his first race in Malaysia since his accident at theItalian round earlier that year, which saw him break his leg.[15] In2011,Marco Simoncelli died on the first lap of the race after a horror accident where two riders hit him in the head and lower body. The race was abandoned shortly after.[16]
In 2020, the Malaysian round was scrapped due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[17][18]
| # Wins | Rider | Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Years won | ||
| 7 |  Valentino Rossi | MotoGP | 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 |
| 500cc | 2001 | ||
| 125cc | 1997 | ||
| 5 |  Mick Doohan | 500cc | 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 |
| Max Biaggi | MotoGP | 2002 | |
| 250cc | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 | ||
 Dani Pedrosa | MotoGP | 2012, 2013, 2015 | |
| 250cc | 2004 | ||
| 125cc | 2003 | ||
| 4 | Casey Stoner | MotoGP | 2007, 2009 |
| 250cc | 2005 | ||
| 125cc | 2004 | ||
| 3 | Luca Cadalora | 500cc | 1996 |
| 250cc | 1991, 1992 | ||
 Loris Capirossi | MotoGP | 2005 | |
| 250cc | 1999 | ||
| 125cc | 1991 | ||
| Marc Márquez | MotoGP | 2014, 2018 | |
| 125cc | 2010 | ||
| Maverick Viñales | MotoGP | 2019 | |
| Moto2 | 2014 | ||
| 125cc | 2011 | ||
| Francesco Bagnaia | MotoGP | 2022, 2024 | |
| Moto3 | 2016 | ||
| 2 |  Noboru Ueda | 125cc | 1994, 1998 |
 Kenny Roberts Jr. | 500cc | 1999, 2000 | |
| Álvaro Bautista | 250cc | 2008 | |
| 125cc | 2006 | ||
 Gábor Talmácsi | 125cc | 2007, 2008 | |
 Hiroshi Aoyama | 250cc | 2007, 2009 | |
 Thomas Lüthi | Moto2 | 2011 | |
| 125cc | 2005 | ||
 Johann Zarco | Moto2 | 2015, 2016 | |
 Miguel Oliveira | Moto2 | 2017 | |
| Moto3 | 2015 | ||
| Andrea Dovizioso | MotoGP | 2016, 2017 | |
| # Wins | Manufacturer | Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Years won | ||
| 34 | Honda | MotoGP | 2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 |
| 500cc | 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 | ||
| 250cc | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2009 | ||
| Moto3 | 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2025 | ||
| 125cc | 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005 | ||
| 19 | Aprilia | 250cc | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 |
| 125cc | 1992, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 | ||
| 9 | Yamaha | MotoGP | 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2019 |
| 500cc | 1991, 1993 | ||
| 250cc | 2000 | ||
| Ducati | MotoGP | 2005, 2007, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | |
| 7 |  KTM | Moto2 | 2017, 2019 |
| 250cc | 2007 | ||
| Moto3 | 2012, 2013, 2015 | ||
| 125cc | 2004 | ||
 Kalex | Moto2 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024 | |
| 2 | Suzuki | 500cc | 1999, 2000 |
| Derbi | 125cc | 2001, 2010 | |
| Suter | Moto2 | 2010, 2011 | |
 Husqvarna | Moto3 | 2022, 2023 | |
| Boscoscuro | Moto2 | 2023, 2025 | |
