The Sepang International Circuit has come under heavy fire from MotoGP riders after the track surface began to disintegrate during Friday’s opening practice sessions for the Malaysian Grand Prix. What was expected to be a weekend of high-speed technical racing has instead descended into concerns over rider safety as asphalt continues to break away from the track, sending dangerous shards of rock flying at competitors.
The deterioration of the surface comes as a major blow to circuit organizers. Plans to fully resurface the track ahead of this year’s event were scrapped, reportedly due to the logistical pressures of preparing the venue to host a Formula 1 race in October. The high-downforce nature of F1 cars is believed to have exacerbated the wear on the aging surface, leaving the track in a state of disrepair that the MotoGP paddock now describes as hazardous.
Riders were blunt in their assessment of the conditions after exiting the track on Friday. Pramac’s Jack Miller did not mince words, calling the surface “fucked” as the crumbling asphalt made precision riding nearly impossible.
For many, the primary danger is not just the lack of grip, but the projectiles being launched into the air. VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio revealed that he was struck by multiple stones during practice starts. “It’s a motocross track now; we have to wear chest protectors,” Di Giannantonio remarked. “There are a lot of stones coming from the asphalt. It’s never good for us when the asphalt gets scraped, but it is what it is.”
KTM’s Pedro Acosta echoed these sentiments, noting a disturbing trend in the circuit’s decline. “Every year it seems like the asphalt gets worse and worse,” Acosta said. “There aren’t many bumps, but it’s true that when you touch the asphalt, things get very difficult; in fact, pieces come off.”
The deteriorating surface has also had a noticeable impact on tyre performance. Augusto Fernandez, who conducted extensive testing at the venue earlier this year, noted that conditions have significantly worsened since his last visit. With grip levels dropping and tyres losing effectiveness after only a couple of laps, the field is bracing for a chaotic qualifying session.
Officials are now facing pressure to act. Similar break-up issues at the recently revamped Goiania circuit earlier this season resulted in a forced shortening of the main race—a decision taken just moments before the start. With the surface currently showing no signs of stabilization, a similar reduction in race distance at Sepang is widely considered to be an option on the table for race direction. For now, riders will have to navigate the crumbling tarmac as best they can, with the safety of the field remaining the primary concern for the remainder of the weekend.
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