A dramatic turn of events has taken place in the MotoGP paddock: the grand presentation of the 2026 season, initially scheduled for Singapore, will now be held in Kuala Lumpur. Dorna has confirmed the announcement.
decision was taken during a crucial logistical meeting held in Montmelò, on the sidelines of the Catalan weekend. Originally, the presentation was to follow the formula inaugurated in Bangkok earlier this year — an innovative format that had won over fans and sponsors thanks to its spectacular atmosphere. But logistical constraints, particularly related to equipment transfers and planning winter testing, pushed Dorna to review his copy.
The choice then fell on Kuala Lumpur, a city located less than an hour from the international circuit of Sepang, where the first test sessions will begin on 1er FebruaryAn option considered simpler and more effective by the organizers and teams.
The new event is now scheduled for the evening of February 6, with activities that will extend to On February 7This date allows teams to continue without stress after the end of the official tests (February 3, 4 and 5), providing crucial time for logistics and media preparation.
L'IRTA (International Association of Teams) confirmed that this amendment aims to " simplify operations for all stakeholders Kuala Lumpur, accustomed to high-end events, has already distinguished itself in the past: Yamaha notably presented a spectacular MotoGP project from the Petronas Towers, a symbol of Malaysian modernity.
Shorter MotoGP preseason, more pressure
This choice, while making travel easier, further tightens the winter calendar.
Le shakedown from Sepang (January 29 to 31) will be immediately followed by the testing officials (3 at 5 February), then by the presentation world (February 6-7). Then, the teams will have to quickly prepare for the second round of tests scheduled for Buriram (Thailand) the February 21 and 22, just a few days before the start of the championship.
This tight timeline leaves little room for adjusting the prototypes. Engineers will have to react quickly to the data collected during testing, with very short windows to validate any possible developments before the first Grand Prix.
