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Petronas Sepang International Circuit
Petronas Sepang International Circuit logo.png
Sepang.svg
Location Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
Time zone UTC+08:00
Coordinates 2°45′38″N 101°44′15″E / 2.76056°N 101.73750°E / 2.76056; 101.73750
Capacity 130,000
FIA Grade 1 (GP)
2 (North)
Broke ground 1 November 1997; 27 years ago (1997-11-01)
Opened 7 March 1999; 26 years ago (1999-03-07)
Architect Hermann Tilke
Former names Sepang International Circuit (March 1999–October 2023)
Major events Current:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
(1999–2019, 2022–present)
Asian Le Mans Series (2013–2020, 2023–present)
GT World Challenge Asia
(2017–2019, 2022–present)
TCR Asia Series (2015–2019, 2024)
Sepang 12 Hours (2000–2016, 2023–present)
Asia Road Racing Championship (2003–2015, 2019–2020, 2022–present)
Former:
Formula One
Malaysian Grand Prix
(1999–2017)
WTCR Race of Malaysia (2019)
World SBK (2014–2016)
FIM EWC (2019)
Super GT (2002, 2004–2013)
Grand Prix Circuit (1999–present)
Length 5.543 km (3.445 mi)
Turns 15
Race lap record 1:34.080 (Germany Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF70H, 2017)
North Circuit (1999–present)
Length 2.706 km (1.681 mi)
Turns 9
South Circuit (1999–present)
Length 2.609 km (1.621 mi)
Turns 8
Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd
Government-linked company
Founded 1997; 28 years ago (1997)
Headquarters Jalan Pekeliling, 64000 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
Key people
Mohamed Azman Yahya, Chairman
Azhan Shafriman Hanif, Chief Executive Officer
Parent Minister of Finance Incorporated

The Petronas Sepang International Circuit is a famous race track in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. It's about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur, and very close to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This circuit is well-known for hosting big motorsport events. It used to be the home of the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017. It also hosts the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix and other exciting races. The circuit was originally called Sepang International Circuit, but in October 2023, Petronas bought the rights to add their name to the circuit for three years.

History of the Sepang Circuit

Sepang International Circuit 1
Sepang International Circuit grandstand, and its iconic umbrella shade.

A famous German designer named Hermann Tilke created the Sepang circuit. He has designed many other well-known race tracks around the world. The circuit was built between 1997 and 1999. This was part of a big plan by the Malaysian government at the time, led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, to build important new structures. The goal was to have a world-class track that could host the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The weather in Malaysia is very tropical and can change quickly. This means races at Sepang can go from very hot and sunny to heavy rainstorms in a short time!

Starting grid of 2010 Malaysian GP
Petronas sponsored the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix as the title sponsor since its inaugural race in 1999.

The circuit officially opened on March 7, 1999. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was there for the opening. Soon after, it hosted its first big races: the Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix in April 1999 and the first Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix in October 1999.

In 2011, a sad event happened during the MotoGP race. A motorcycle racer named Marco Simoncelli had a crash, and the race was stopped.

In 2016, the track was completely redone. The surface was replaced, and some corners were changed. This was done to make the racing more exciting and challenging for drivers. For example, the very last corner was raised to make drivers try different ways to go around it.

After 2017, the Sepang circuit no longer hosted the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix. This was because fewer people were buying tickets, and the cost to host the race had become very high.

Understanding the Track Layout

Sepang International Circuit
View from Mall Area, Main Grandstand North, Lower Tier.

The main circuit is 5.543 kilometers (3.445 miles) long. Drivers usually race on it in a clockwise direction. It's known for its fast, wide turns and long straight sections. The track has a unique design: a very long straight section at the back of the circuit is separated from the main pit straight by just one very tight hairpin turn.

Sepang also has other ways to use its track.

  • The North Circuit is like the first half of the main track. It's 2.706 kilometers (1.681 miles) long and turns back towards the pit straight after turn 6.
  • The South Circuit is the other half. The back straight of the main circuit becomes the pit straight for this layout. It's 2.609 kilometers (1.621 miles) long.

Besides the main racing tracks, Sepang International Circuit also has special areas for kart racing and motocross.

Different Track Shapes

A Lap in a Formula One Car

Lewis Hamilton 2017 Malaysia FP2
Lewis Hamilton during the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Imagine you're in a Formula One car at Sepang!

The lap starts on a long straight section called the pit straight. This is where drivers can use a special system called DRS to go even faster. Drivers need to get a great exit from the last corner to build up as much speed as possible here.

  • Turn 1 is a very long, slow corner. Drivers brake late and slowly lose speed as they go around it.
  • Turn 2 is a tight left turn that goes downhill. The first two corners can be bumpy, making it tricky to control the car's power.
  • Turn 3 is a fast right turn that leads into Turn 4, a sharp right-angle turn known as the Langkawi Curve.
  • Turns 5 and 6 form a very fast chicane (a series of turns in opposite directions). This section is tough on tires and drivers because of the strong G-forces. It's called the Genting Curve.
  • Turns 7 and 8 (the KLIA curve) are a long, medium-speed double right turn. A bump here can make the car lose balance.
  • Turn 9 is a very slow left turn, similar to turn two but uphill. It's known as the Berjaya Tioman Corner.
  • Turn 10 leads into a challenging, medium-speed right turn at Turn 11. Drivers have to brake and turn at the same time.
  • Turn 12 is a fast, bumpy left turn that immediately leads into the fast right turn at Turn 13.
  • Then comes the challenging 'Sunway Lagoon' curve at Turn 14. Like turn 11, it needs hard braking and steering at the same time.
  • The long back straight is a good place for drivers to try to overtake. They brake hard into Turn 15, a left-hand hairpin. Drivers need to be careful not to be overtaken back as they head into turn 1 again!

Main Events at Sepang

Current Events
  • March: Sepang 12 Hours, TCR Asia Endurance Series
  • April: GT World Challenge Asia
  • May: Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, TCR Asia Series
  • June: TCR Asia Series
  • August: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Thailand Super Series
  • September: Asia Road Racing Championship, Australian Formula 4 Championship, Thailand Super Series
  • November: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix, Asia Talent Cup, Sepang 1000 km
  • December: Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Sepang
Former Events

Fastest Lap Records

The fastest official lap record for the Sepang International Circuit is 1 minute, 34.080 seconds. This was set by Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari SF70H car during the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. Here are some of the fastest official race lap records at Sepang:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit (1999–present): 5.543 km
Formula One 1:34.080 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari SF70H 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix
GP2 1:45.066 Sergio Canamasas Dallara GP2/11 2016 Sepang GP2 Series round
GP2 Asia 1:46.405 Romain Grosjean Dallara GP2/05 2008 Malaysian GP2 Asia Series round
A1GP 1:48.550 Neel Jani A1GP Powered by Ferrari car 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Malaysia
GP3 1:51.520 Antonio Fuoco Dallara GP3/16 2016 Sepang GP3 Series round
LMP2 1:52.991 Louis Delétraz Oreca 07 2023 4 Hours of Sepang
Super GT (GT500) 1:57.031 Michael Krumm Nissan GT-R GT500 2008 Super GT International Series Malaysia
MotoGP 1:58.979 Álex Márquez Ducati Desmosedici GP22 2023 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Renault 3.5 1:59.153 James Grunwell Tatuus FRV6 2008 Sepang Formula V6 Asia round
LMP3 2:00.525 Josh Burdon Ligier JS P3 2018 4 Hours of Sepang
Formula Regional 2:01.151 Yifei Ye Tatuus F.3 T-318 2019–20 2nd Sepang F3 Asia Winter Series Round
World SBK 2:03.637 Tom Sykes Kawasaki ZX-10R 2016 Sepang World SBK round
GT3 2:03.659 Christopher Haase Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II 2024 Sepang 12 Hours
Formula Renault 2.0 2:03.747 Bruno Carneiro Tatuus FR2.0/13 2019 1st Sepang Asian Formula Renault round
Lamborghini Super Trofeo 2:04.695 Afiq Ikhwan Yazid Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo 2017 Sepang Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia round
Formula Masters China 2:05.765 Taylor Cockerton Tatuus FA010 2017 1st Sepang Formula Masters China round
Moto2 2:05.860 Álex Márquez Kalex Moto2 2019 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
Super GT (GT300) 2:06.594 Kota Sasaki Subaru BRZ GT300 2013 Super GT International Series Malaysia
500cc 2:06.618 Valentino Rossi Honda NSR500 2001 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
CN 2:07.113 Kurt Hill Ligier JS53 2017 2nd Sepang Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup round
Porsche Carrera Cup 2:07.595 Martin Ragginger [de] Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 2019 Sepang Porsche Carrera Cup Asia round
250cc 2:07.597 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda RS250RW 2009 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula 4 2:08.301 Rashid Al Dhaheri Tatuus F4-T421 2023 2nd Sepang F4 SEA round
World SSP 2:09.178 Kev Coghlan Yamaha YZF-R6 2014 Sepang World SSP round
Formula Nippon 2:09.302 Richard Lyons Lola B03/51 2004 Sepang Formula Nippon round
Ferrari Challenge 2:09.394 Philippe Prette [de] Ferrari 488 Challenge 2017 Sepang Ferrari Challenge Asia–Pacific round
LM GTE 2:09.990 Akira Iida Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 2013 3 Hours of Sepang
Formula BMW 2:11.139 Richard Bradley Mygale FB02 2010 1st Sepang Formula BMW Pacific round
Stock car racing 2:12.234 Jean Alesi Speedcar V8 2008 Malaysian Speedcar Series round
Moto3 2:12.268 Ayumu Sasaki Husqvarna FR250GP 2023 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 2:13.118 Álvaro Bautista Aprilia RS125R 2006 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
Asian Formula 2000 2:14.410 Parthiva Sureshwaren Argo Formula Asia 2000 Sepang Asian Formula 2000 round
N-GT 2:14.461 Hideo Fukuyama Porsche 911 (996) GT3 R 2000 Tmtouch Japan GT Championship Malaysia
TCR Touring Car 2:16.338 Daniel Lloyd Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8) 2020 3rd Sepang TCR Malaysia round
GT4 2:16.458 Seita Nonaka Toyota GR Supra GT4 Evo 2023 Sepang GT World Challenge Asia round
Asia Productions 250 2:22.443 Rheza Danica Ahrens Honda CBR250RR 2023 Sepang ARRC round
Super 2000 2:27.381 Charoensukawattana Nattavude Peugeot 306 GTi 2000 Sepang ATCC round
Asia Underbone 150 2:33.537 Muhammad Hildan Honda Supra GTR 150 2020 Sepang ARRC round

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Circuito Internacional de Sepang para niños

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