Measuring 5.543 km (3.444 miles) and featuring 15 corners (10 right-handers and five left-handers), Sepang International Circuit is an iconic venue for MotoGP, having hosted the championship every year since its inauguration in 1999. With the resurfacing work planned for 2026 yet to be completed, Michelin was able to draw on its extensive knowledge of the circuit to support its partners throughout the weekend.
For the 2026 Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, Michelin’s teams adapted their technical support by combining data collected during previous races with feedback from the riders, while also taking into account Sepang’s tropical climate, which requires constant attention to tire operating temperatures. Throughout the practice sessions, low grip levels and a dirty track surface—made even more challenging by severe thunderstorms—posed additional difficulties. Nevertheless, the most effective bike setups gradually began to emerge.
To meet these demanding conditions, Michelin brought three front and rear tire specifications to Malaysia. The front allocation consisted of two compounds, Soft and Medium, identical to those used in 2025, while the rear allocation included three options: Soft, Medium and Hard. The Soft remained unchanged from last year, while the 2025 Medium was redesignated as the Hard to make room for a new Medium compound developed in anticipation of the potential track resurfacing.
For the Tissot Sprint, all Michelin partners ultimately opted for a symmetric Soft front tire and an asymmetric Soft rear tire, featuring a reinforced right shoulder. On Sunday, following three consecutive evenings of thunderstorms, the rain finally stayed away on Saturday night. For the Grand Prix, riders once again selected the same compounds, taking advantage of slightly improved track conditions that were more favorable to outright performance.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager
“Our tires, and particularly the Soft compounds, lived up to every expectation in all conditions, which was no small achievement given the highly variable weather. The lack of track grip throughout the weekend was another important factor we had to manage. Despite these challenges, we came within just one-tenth of a second of the circuit’s all-time lap record, and our tires demonstrated remarkable versatility, even when part of the track became wet during Saturday’s Tissot Sprint.
With track temperatures exceeding 55°C (131°F) at the start of both races—and reaching 57°C (135°F) for the Grand Prix—the durability and consistency of our tires also made a difference. Lap times remained remarkably consistent throughout the races, including in the closing stages.
Our tire technicians, who worked closely with our partners throughout the weekend, played a crucial role in helping them manage their tire allocations effectively. We leave Malaysia with the satisfaction of a job well done, having provided our partners with effective support throughout a particularly challenging race weekend.
We now turn our attention to Qatar, where new uncertainties await us next weekend, particularly regarding temperatures, following the rescheduling of the race originally planned for April.”
On Saturday afternoon, Pedro Acosta won the Tissot Sprint running Soft tires front and rear, ahead of Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), both of whom had selected the same combination.
On Sunday, Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) took victory in the Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Pedro Acosta and Álex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). All three podium finishers used the same tire combination: a symmetric Soft front and an asymmetric Soft rear.
The next round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship will take place in the Middle East, with the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar scheduled for November 6–8 at Lusail International Circuit.
