Sepang International Circuit track information

The Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur was designed by Hermann Tilke and built to host the first Malaysian Grand Prix in 1999.

The circuit’s main grandstand faces in opposite directions onto two long straights joined by a hairpin which forms the track’s final corner. The combination of long straights and varied low, medium and high-speed turns requires teams to strike a compromise between high downforce for cornering performance and low drag for straight-line speed.

Conditions at the track are reliably hot and humid, and late afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence. These have affected several races and qualifying sessions at the track, notably in 2009 when the race was abandoned and half-points awarded following a downpour.

Circuit information

Lap data
Lap length5.543km (3.444 miles)
Race laps56
Race distance310.408km (192.879 miles)
Pole positionRight-hand side of the track
Lap record*1’34.223 (Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004)
Fastest lap1’32.582 (Fernando Alonso, 2005, qualifying one)
Maximum speed329kph (204.431 mph)
DRS zone/s (race)Pit straight and final straight
Distance from grid to turn one683m
Car performance
Full throttle45%
Longest flat-out section1029m
Downforce levelHigh
Gear changes per lap40
Strategy
Pit lane time loss18.95s
Tyres:Drivers’ tyre selections

*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix

Data sources: FIA, Williams, Mercedes

Video guide to the Sepang International Circuit

Sepang International Circuit track map

Sepang International Circuit
Sepang International Circuit

Sepang International Circuit aerial map

Sepang International Circuit gallery

Sepang International Circuit articles

    Images © Marussia, Mercedes/Hoch Zwei, Caterham/LAT