KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Sepang International Circuit's iconic turn 15 - the track's last corner - is set to undergo another evolution in its storied history.
Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif disclosed that the current kerb at turn 15 will be replaced with a new Misano kerb - a type of kerb - before the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia on Nov 1-3.
"Besides other renovation works, we will also be doing some interventions to the track at turn 15 to comply with current (MotoGP) requirements," said Shafriman yesterday.
"The Misano kerb is something that Dorna (MotoGP rights holder) has introduced to better enforce track limits.
"The Misano kerb is raised to a certain extent to ensure that bikes do not go over the kerb."
In simpler terms, the new wedge-shaped kerb is higher on one end to ensure that riders do not cut corners. This type of kerb has been named after Misano as they were the first circuit to test it.
Sepang's turn 15, which is a hairpin, comes after a long back straight and is one of the main overtaking areas in the track. Many races have been won and lost at turn 15 over the track's 25 year history.
Turn 15 underwent significant camber changes when the entire track was resurfaced in 2016 to solve issues with standing water on the entry and exit points of the turn. The changes made altered the turn's racing line.
It is unknown how the new Misano kerb will affect Sepang lap times for both bikes and cars.
Besides the new Misano kerb, Shafriman added that the main grandstand, North paddock as well as the sewerage system of the track is also being revamped, costing roughly RM12 million in total.