Sepang International Circuit. Sepang. Malaysia
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Circuit Information:
Track length:  3.444 miles / 5.543 kilometers
Right Corners: 10
Left Corners: 5
Longest Straight: 0.572 miles / 0.920 kilometers
Constructed: 1998
Time zone: GMT +8 / CET +7 / EST +12 / PCT +15

Notes & Quotes:
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A first victory for #25 Raul Fernandez and the Trackhouse MotoGP Team in Australia meant the 8-hour hop from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur was fueled, not only by a lot of Jet A-1 but also, by a great amount of energy within the USA based team.

Raul’s win came off the back of a performance delta that has showed his increasing competitiveness since the mid-season summer break and the rewards from Trackhouse racing manufacturer partner Aprilia’s development strides which have brought the RS-GP25’s speed and adaptability at differing circuits to the fore. Right now, the Aprilia is proving a supremely well rounded package to race with in the MotoGP Championship and between the support it’s technical department is providing to Trackhouse and the work of Michelin to help extract the maximum potential from the bike with its tires, the American outfit is in a positive mindset as it arrives at a track which is amongst the most familiar on the calendar.

While Raul’s performance is a cause for celebration coming out of Australia, the return of #79 Ai Ogura from injury, to complete a full Grand Prix race distance for the first time since the visit to Barcelona back in early September, was also a major boost for the American team. Ai’s brutal crash at San Marino damaged his right, braking, hand and wrist and the recovery process has been frustratingly lengthy, particularly as it meant an enforced withdrawal from his home Grand Prix at Motegi. Coming into the Phillip Island weekend, while hopes were high that Ai’s fitness was assured, there were no guarantees given the physical challenges presented by the current performance levels in the premier MotoGP class. His performance in the 27-Lap race on Sunday confirmed those hopes were well founded as Ai produced a very solid display with consistent and competitive race pace.
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With both riders fit and on form, Trackhouse is now fully focused on the challenges posed by the heat and humidity that are always a major performance consideration in Malaysia. The Sepang International Circuit hosts the most official testing days in the Championship and so, like all the competitors, it is the track where the team has the most data and experience with set-up and race strategy. One of the longer straight-aways on the year’s schedule and a mix of fast and slow corners mean the RS-GP25 can lean into its all-round performance strenghts. Since the pre-season testing that took place in early February the bike has been developed in all areas and Trackhouse arrives for the race weekend with an aero package that is a step-change since the beginning of the year.

For Raul Fernandez, another weekend’s performance like Australia would rubber stamp his credentials as a Championship front-runner and underline the faith Trackhouse has placed in one of the hottest prospects ever to emerge from the World Championship intermediate class. Raul’s eight win season in Moto2 was no chance performance and now the raw speed and aggressive race craft that he possesses has been so visibly displayed at Phillip Island, he will be lazer focused on being at the front in Malaysia. Ai Ogura also comes to Sepang in a positive frame of mind; he likes Sepang and it is the first track on the calendar where he has the benefit of plenty of running on the RS-GP25 ahead of a race weekend. He is also somewhat of a hot conditions specialist and the high temperatures and draining levels of humidity that go with racing in Malaysia should play into one of his key strengths. While not underestimating the physical and mental challenge that each new race weekend presents for the 24-year old rookie, Ai is determined to be scoring points.

Also looking for a front-running weekend in Malaysia will be Gulf Oil – Trackhouse MotoGP Team fuel and lubricant partner. Back on the team’s two RS-GP bikes for their fourth outing of the season, after Raul put the beautiful, iconic, blue/orange livery on the Indonesia Sprint podium, what chance another visit to victory circle in Malaysia?