F1 Returns to Malaysia to Replace GP Bahrain

Malaysia will host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit from 2–4 October after the Middle East conflict forced the Gulf state’s race to be postponed.

July 27, 2026

F1 Returns to Malaysia to Replace GP Bahrain

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 July 2026 — Malaysia will host a Formula One Grand Prix in October on behalf of Bahrain after the Gulf state’s race was called off earlier this season due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, F1 and motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, have confirmed.

The Sepang International Circuit, located near Kuala Lumpur, will stage the event from 2 to 4 October under the official title of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

The race will take place between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, subject to final agreements and approval from the World Motor Sport Council.

The original Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, scheduled for April, were called off in March following the outbreak of war in the region involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

By relocating the event, F1 aims to preserve its 23-race schedule for the 2026 season. Maintaining at least 21 races is financially critical for the sport, as falling below that threshold triggers contractual clauses requiring rights fees to be refunded to broadcasters and sponsorship payouts to be reduced to teams.

The arrangement was brokered following high-level diplomatic cooperation involving Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“This agreement… allows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise not have happened,” F1 said in a statement, adding that the remainder of the 2026 calendar currently remains unchanged.

However, uncertainty remains over the final two scheduled races of the year in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. F1 is preparing contingency plans should the ongoing conflict prevent those events from taking place, with a decision expected by September.

Imola in Italy is considered the primary alternative to host a late-season replacement race. At the same time, Portimao in Portugal and Istanbul Park in Turkey remain less likely options due to scheduled winter construction work ahead of their planned returns in 2027.

The return to Sepang marks F1’s first visit to the circuit since 2017, when Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed victory ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The track, which debuted on the calendar in 1999, is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most challenging venues.

“Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history,” Domenicali said. “Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver.”

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman noted that despite “ongoing regional challenges”, the Kingdom remained committed to supporting the sport. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim added that the host nation was “honoured to support the Kingdom of Bahrain” and ready to showcase its world-class infrastructure and hospitality.

Details regarding ticket releases for the October event are expected to be announced shortly.