Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit will make a shock return to the Formula 1 calendar on 4 October, hosting what will be officially titled the 'Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia' following the cancellation of Middle Eastern rounds due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The event, scheduled for 2-4 October, slots between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on 26 September and the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October, creating an additional triple-header of back-to-back weekends. Malaysia last featured on the F1 calendar in 2017, when Max Verstappen won for Red Bull.
Formula 1 had originally planned to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix — postponed from its original April date — into the 4 October slot. But the escalating US-Israeli war on Iran, which also forced the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, made it impossible to race in the Gulf region this season. The calendar had been reduced from 24 to 22 rounds, creating a month-long gap in April.
The solution came via Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who conceived the idea of staging the race at Sepang with the support of both nations. The Gulf state is funding the event, hence retaining the 'Bahrain Grand Prix' title despite being held nearly 6,000 kilometres away in Southeast Asia.
"This is fantastic news for our fans," said F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali. "They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue. Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history."
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the announcement: "Malaysia stands ready to welcome Formula 1, the FIA, the teams and fans from around the world back to Sepang. We look forward to showcasing our world-class infrastructure, operational excellence and warm hospitality."
The addition brings the calendar to 23 races, but uncertainty remains over the final two rounds in Qatar (27-29 November) and Abu Dhabi (4-6 December). Imola has emerged as a leading candidate to host the season finale if those races cannot proceed, while Portimao and Istanbul were also evaluated as potential replacements. The modified calendar still requires formal approval from the World Motor Sport Council, though that step is considered a formality.
Sepang, which first joined the F1 schedule in 1999, was a regular fixture until 2017 before being dropped due to financial constraints. Its return — even in this unconventional format — has been welcomed by drivers and teams who regard the Hermann Tilke-designed circuit as one of the most demanding and popular on the calendar.
Sources
- https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1101834/1/malaysia-f1-return-confirmed-bizarre-race-title
- https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13566600/malaysia-added-to-2026-f1-calendar-in-october-to-host-postponed-bahrain-gp-amid-continued-conflict-in-middle-east
