Malaysia will host a grand prix on 2–4 October in a bid by Formula 1 to retain at least 22 grands prix this season amid ongoing uncertainty over its season-closing races in the Middle East.
The Sepang International Circuit last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2017 before withdrawing from the sport over high costs but has been tapped to fill the gap in this year’s schedule that had originally been earmarked for the reinstated Bahrain Grand Prix.
In a bizarre twist, the South-East Asian venue will have its race presented as the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
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Bahrain was one of two countries, along with Saudi Arabia, to have their races in April called off following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The sport was hopeful of rescheduling at least one of those races later in the year after the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, but the resumption of hostilities this month has all but scuppered the plan.
But Formula 1 remained committed to using the weekend as a safeguard against further cancellations, with ESPN reporting that the sport is committed by broadcast agreements to run at least 22 races.
Without Malaysia, the possible cancellation of the season-ending Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix would have reduced the schedule to 20 rounds. The sport would replace both Middle Eastern rounds with a single race in Europe, which would bring the total back to 22.
Malaysia emerged as a frontrunner for the slot owing to its proximity to Singapore, which will host its grand prix on the following weekend, easing the logistical constraints of shoehorning an extra race into the calendar.
Bahrain, which is reportedly contributing to the sanctioning fee on Malaysia’s behalf, will take the naming rights for the race.
“This will be a wonderful experience for fans around the world and reflects Bahrain’s enduring commitment to, and passion for, the sport,” said Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain.
“Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a successful and memorable race for everyone involved.
“I offer my sincere appreciation to F1, the FIA, Bahrain International Circuit, Sepang International Circuit and the teams for their support in helping us deliver an exciting weekend of racing.”
It’s not the first time a Formula 1 grand prix has taken place with the name of an unrelated nation or region in the title.
More recently transcontinental Baku hosted the 2016 European Grand Prix before taking the Azerbaijan Grand Prix moniker from the following season.
The Nürburgring also hosted races under the European banner as well as two events as the Luxembourg Grand Prix while Hockenheimring had the rights to Germany’s national race.
Italy’s Imola also famously adopted the name of the nearby micronation of San Marino between 1981 and 2006, with Monza retaining the title of the Italian Grand Prix.
It’s also not the first time an international motorsport event has taken the name of a distant part of the world. The Dakar Rally has not been held in the Senegalese capital since 2007, with South American nations hosting the legendary rally in 2009–19 before it moved to Saudi Arabia from 2020.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said he was “delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026.”
“Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions and deliver, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1.
“Most importantly, this is fantastic news for our fans. 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. It will provide a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans at the circuit and watching around the world.”
Domenicali had previously committed to making a decision on Bahrain before the mid-season break, which begins after this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, owing to logistical pressures.
Formula 1 teams are also required to shut their factories for two weeks during the break, further compressing time frames.
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Formula 1’s return to Sepang will create a run of three consecutive rounds, with Azerbaijan on the preceding weekend.
It also means the season will end with a gruelling run of three consecutive triple-header, with nine grands prix in 11 weekends, assuming both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grand prix go ahead as the final rounds of the season.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the schedule for 29 November and 6 December respectively despite ongoing conflagration in the region.
The sport is not expected to make a call on whether they can go ahead until September, when the first consignment of sea freight is due to be dispatched.
It would be impossible to host either race amid current hostilities, making both appear unlikely to go ahead, particularly given the collapse of what had previously appeared to be a hopeful ceasefire.
Formula 1 is weighing up contingency plans for the possible cancellation of both events, with a return to Europe the most likely outcome.
Portugal had been the frontrunner to replace both, but reports now suggest that a December race could compromise capital works planned for the circuit’s return to the calendar on a two-year contract next year. The same problem presents as a hurdle in Istanbul, which had also been named as a candidate.
Instead Imola has emerged as the most likely venue, having previously hosted the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix just last year.
The appeal of ending the season in Italy is clear, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli in a strong position to become the country’s first world champion since Albert Ascari in 1953 and with Ferrari potentially poised to make a run for its first constructors championship since 2008.
It would be the first time Europe has hosted the final round of the world championship since 1997, when Spain’s Jerez closed the season in late October.
Frosty early-December weather would be the only hurdle for Imola, with the average daily maximum at that time of year in single digits and overnight temperatures plunging to near freezing.
Formula 1 has hosted races in similar conditions, however, including the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, where the race got underway in overcast 10°C conditions.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is also liable to take place in sub-10°C weather given its night-time running in the desert.
Formula 1 2026 updated calendar
11. Hungarian Grand Prix: 26 July
12. Dutch Grand Prix: 23 August
13. Italian Grand Prix: 6 September
14. Spanish Grand Prix: 13 September
15. Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 27 September
16. Malaysian Grand Prix: 4 October
17. Singapore Grand Prix: 11 October
18. United States Grand Prix: 25 October
19. Mexico City Grand Prix: 1 November
20. Sao Paulo Grand Prix: 8 November
21. Las Vegas Grand Prix: 21 November
22. Qatar Grand Prix: 29 November*
23. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 6 December*
or
22. Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix: 6 December (contingency)
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