en.malanginspirasi.com – Formula 1 (F1) will return to Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this autumn to stage the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix.
It plugs a major gap in the 2026 calendar following the cancellation of early-season Middle Eastern events due to the ongoing regional conflict.
Under an extraordinary cross-border agreement, the Sepang track near Kuala Lumpur will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia from October 2 to 4, slotting directly ahead of the neighboring Singapore Grand Prix.
The arrangement allows Formula 1 to maintain its planned 23-race schedule for 2026, preserving crucial broadcast and sponsorship revenue thresholds that kick in if the total drops below 21 events.
The shift follows the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix earlier this spring amid the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa largely orchestrated the solution as his sovereign investment fund owns the McLaren F1 team and who has championed the Bahrain race since its 2004 debut.
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Working in tandem with Malaysian monarch Sultan Ibrahim, the royal diplomacy cleared the path for Sepang to make its unexpected return to the world championship.
F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali praised the swift coordination, thanking the leadership of both nations for their decisive action and noting Sepang’s storied history in the sport.
However, logistics for the tail end of the season remain fluid. Continued uncertainty surrounds the final scheduled rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, prompting F1 officials to draw up contingency plans.
While a final decision on those races is expected by September, European circuits including Imola, Portimão, and Istanbul Park are being evaluated as potential backup venues to close out the year.
