Pirelli Moto tyres deliver record-breaking performance at scorching Malaysian GP

Pirelli’s motorcycle race tyres demonstrated exceptional grip and endurance at the Malaysian Grand Prix, enabling new lap records in both Moto2 and Moto3 despite high track temperatures and abrasive asphalt conditions at the Sepang International Circuit.

Moto2: unanimous choice for Pirelli’s F0192 Supersoft

Spanish rider David Alonso (Kalex) stormed to victory in the 17-lap Moto2 race, taking the lead in the opening laps and maintaining control until the chequered flag. Alonso was joined on the podium by pole-sitter Daniel Holgado and Ángel Piqueras.

Tyre strategy was unanimous across the entire Moto2 grid: every rider selected Pirelli’s soft SC1 front paired with the supersoft F0192 development rear. Chosen over the standard soft SC0 for its superior grip on low-friction, high-temperature asphalt, the supersoft F0192 compound delivered maximum performance alongside high wear resistance across the full race distance. On lap two, Alonso set a new Moto2 race lap record of 2’04.422, lowering the previous record set by Jake Dixon by nearly a tenth of a second.

Moto3: strategic tyre splits and new track record

Máximo Quiles (KTM) claimed his 11th win of the Moto3 season (Photo: Pirelli)

In Moto3, Máximo Quiles (KTM) took pole position and led from start to finish to claim his 11th win of the season, finishing ahead of Veda Pratama and Álvaro Carpe.

While the majority of Moto3 riders favoured the medium SC2 front tyre, rear tyre strategies were split across the field: winner Máximo Quiles went all-in on the medium SC2 rear, while podium finishers Pratama and Carpe opted for the soft SC1 rear.

Despite the varying setups, Pirelli’s compounds proved fast and durable. On lap three, Carpe set a new Moto3 race lap record of 2’10.967, surpassing David Alonso’s 2024 benchmark by 80 thousandths of a second.

Great races in demanding conditions

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli motorcycle racing director, summarised Pirelli’s view on the racing action: “Sepang is a particularly challenging circuit for tyres. The highly abrasive asphalt, combined with high track temperatures, puts the tyres under considerable stress. Here, striking the best balance between performance and wear resistance becomes even more important.

“The tyres selected by Pirelli for this Grand Prix were especially fit for the purpose. In Moto2, every rider chose the supersoft F0192 development rear tyre over the standard soft SC0, because of the higher level of grip it provided. This was particularly valuable at a circuit like Sepang, where high asphalt temperatures tend to reduce grip. At the same time, despite being a supersoft compound, the F0192 demonstrated good wear resistance, completing all 17 laps on a very abrasive surface.

“In Moto3, the medium SC2 was the most popular front option, while both the soft SC1 and medium SC2 delivered strong rear performances, as demonstrated by the different choices made by the podium finishers.

“As expected, tyre wear was higher than usual at this circuit, but this compromised neither performance nor the racing quality, with new race lap records being set in both classes.”