Motorsport super Sunday: F1 at Sepang, MotoGP at Motegi and the WRC finale in Malaysian time

Sunday 4 October is one of the busiest days of the motorsport year for Malaysian fans. Formula 1 races at Sepang for the first time since 2017, MotoGP holds the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, and the World Rally Championship settles its title in Sardinia, all within a few hours. Here is how the weekend lines up in Malaysian time (MYT, UTC+8).

Friday 2 October

• F1 at Sepang: FIA F1 car presentation 11:00–12:00, Practice 1 12:30–13:30, Practice 2 16:00–17:00. Formula Trophy Malaysia practice runs in the gaps.
• MotoGP at Motegi: practice day. Japan is one hour ahead of Malaysia, so sessions start early in the morning MYT.
• WRC Sardinia: the first full day of stages, 120.90km, running into the afternoon and evening MYT.

Saturday 3 October

• MotoGP qualifying starts at 10:50 in Japan (09:50 MYT).
• F1 Practice 3: 12:30–13:30 at Sepang.
• MotoGP Sprint (12 laps): 15:00 in Japan, 14:00 MYT.
• Formula Trophy Malaysia Race 1: 14:15–14:47 at Sepang.
• F1 qualifying: 16:00–17:00 at Sepang.

Clash alert: the MotoGP Sprint starts about 15 minutes before the Formula Trophy race. If you are at Sepang, plan to catch the Sprint highlights later.

Sunday 4 October: the big one

Based on the published schedules, converted to Malaysian time:

• 10:00: Moto3 race at Motegi (17 laps)
• 11:15: Moto2 race at Motegi (19 laps)
• 11:45–12:17: Formula Trophy Malaysia Race 2 at Sepang
• 13:00: MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix (24 laps), at the same time as the F1 drivers' parade at Sepang (13:00–13:30)
• 14:44: National anthem at Sepang
• 15:00–17:00: F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (56 laps or 120 minutes)
• Evening: WRC's final day in Sardinia, with the Power Stage and title decider. The podium ceremony is at 17:00 Italian time, 23:00 MYT.

The good news: the MotoGP race should finish before F1's 3pm start, so fans at home can watch both in full. Fans at the circuit will have to follow Motegi on their phones during the drivers' parade.

What is at stake

• F1: Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 66 points. The title cannot be settled at Sepang, but Russell needs a big result to keep up the pressure.
• MotoGP: Jorge Martín leads Marc Márquez by 12 points going into Motegi, the first stop of the Asia-Pacific swing. Maverick Viñales returns this weekend. Malaysia's own MotoGP round at Sepang follows on 1 November.
• WRC: Elfyn Evans leads Sami Pajari by 17 points and Oliver Solberg by 21. A 19-point weekend guarantees Evans the title.

Tips for the day

• Session times can change. Check official apps on the morning.
• If you are going to Sepang, remember gate queues and the free Rapid KL shuttle buses. Streaming MotoGP in the grandstand will use a lot of mobile data.
• Tokyo Auto Salon Malaysia at MAEPS is open until 10pm on Sunday for anyone who wants more cars after the chequered flag.

Key takeaways

• The MotoGP Japanese GP starts at 13:00 MYT on Sunday, two hours before F1 at Sepang (15:00).
• The MotoGP Sprint on Saturday is at 14:00 MYT, just before F1 qualifying at 16:00.
• The WRC title is decided on Sunday evening, with the Sardinia podium at 23:00 MYT.
• Malaysia's MotoGP round follows at Sepang on 1 November.

FAQ

Will MotoGP and F1 clash on Sunday? The main races do not overlap. MotoGP starts at 13:00 MYT and F1 at 15:00 MYT, although MotoGP runs during the F1 drivers' parade.

What time is the MotoGP Sprint in Malaysia? Saturday 3 October at 14:00 MYT (15:00 in Japan).

When will the WRC champion be known? On Sunday evening Malaysian time, after the final stages in Sardinia. The podium is scheduled for 23:00 MYT.

Sources: Formula1.com, Grande Prêmio, Speedweek, WRC.com, Rally Italia Sardegna