Malaysia explores shock F1 return to Sepang as Bahrain replacement

Malaysia is exploring a surprise return to the Formula 1 calendar as a potential replacement for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is in doubt due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Sepang International Circuit, which last hosted an F1 race in 2017, could return this season.

Doubts have been cast over whether F1's planned races in the Middle East, including the season-ending Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, can go ahead amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The US-Israeli war on Iran has also thrown F1's plan to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix into serious doubt. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, both originally scheduled for April, were cancelled due to the conflict.

F1 was hoping to restore Bahrain to the calendar in the gap between the Baku and Singapore rounds on 4 October, but with the war ongoing, doubts are increasing. Other venues have subsequently thrown their hat into the ring as possible backup solutions.

Malaysia's youth and sports minister, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, said in a statement released on Friday that the government had received "initial information on the possibility of organising an F1 race at the Sepang International Circuit to replace the Bahrain Grand Prix." He added that "discussions and research by KBS are currently underway."

Portimao, Imola, and Istanbul have also been mooted as possible stand-ins. F1 president Stefano Domenicali recently revealed that a decision on Bahrain would need to be made before the summer break, which begins after this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix on 26 July.

A decision could be accelerated by an update on the World Endurance Championship's planned races in the Middle East, which are expected to be cancelled at this weekend's FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting.

Sources

• https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1101617/1/malaysia-exploring-surprise-f1-return-bahrain-plan-doubt