Malaysia Smashes Records with Sprint Race

The Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia made history this weekend, smashing attendance records with the new MotoGP sprint race.

A whopping 182,912 fans flooded the Sepang International Circuit over three days, a big jump from last year’s 163,567 attendees.

Friday kicked off with 21,364 fans, setting the stage for Saturday’s spectacle. The sprint race, introduced by Dorna to boost MotoGP’s popularity, drew 70,911 fans—more than double compared to the previous year’s 53,937 on Saturday.

Sunday’s main race kept the excitement alive, with 90,637 fans witnessing the action. This strong Sunday turnout broke the overall three-day record, surpassing 2019’s 170,778.

The 2019 Sunday attendance record of 103,850 still holds, reflecting MotoGP’s enduring appeal. The sprint race, half the duration with half the points, added a thrilling dynamic, captivating both seasoned and new fans.

Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of Sepang International Circuit, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support. “We had expected this year to be better or at least similar,” said Shafriman. “Thanks to all who bought tickets and came, and those who made the event a success.”

Looking ahead, Shafriman affirmed the commitment to improving based on fan feedback. The success of the Malaysian Grand Prix highlights MotoGP’s vitality. With the sprint race, the series is on track to surpass its former glory.

On the track, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) claimed the main race, while the sprint race was won by Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing). Fans eagerly await the next MotoGP chapter as the Sepang International Circuit echoes with cheers, proving MotoGP’s pulse is stronger than ever.