Malaysia to Host Bahrain Grand Prix in October 2026
Sepang International Circuit to host the relocated F1 race from October 2 to 4, due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East that forced the cancellation of the original date.
Sepang International Circuit to host the relocated F1 race from October 2 to 4, due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East that forced the cancellation of the original date.
Formula 1 has added Malaysia to the 2026 season calendar as the host of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which had been postponed earlier in the season due to conflicts in the Middle East. The race will take place at Sepang International Circuit from October 2 to 4, retaining the name 'Bahrain Grand Prix' with financial support from the State of Bahrain.
At the start of the 2026 season, the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were canceled due to security concerns related to the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. Formula 1 had been trying for some time to find a way to bring Bahrain back to the calendar, but continued instability in the region made it impossible to organize the race at its original location. The solution was found thanks to strong diplomatic ties between Bahrain and Malaysia, which Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa described as 'close and fraternal relations between the two countries'.
Malaysia thus gets its first F1 race since 2017, when Sepang International Circuit last hosted a Grand Prix. According to Sky Sports data, the track had hosted a total of 19 F1 races by then, with the winner of that last race being Max Verstappen. With the addition of Malaysia, the total number of races on the 2026 calendar rises to 23, and the new race is positioned between the rounds in Baku and Singapore, creating a triple-header of consecutive races.
Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali welcomed the decision, saying: 'We are pleased 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 following Formula 1.' FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that all involved parties 'worked tirelessly to explore every possibility', with the safety of all participants remaining the number one priority.
"Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1 and will continue to do everything in its power to ensure a successful and unforgettable race for all involved." - Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Crown Prince
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim added that Malaysia is 'ready to welcome Formula 1, the FIA, teams and fans from around the world back to Sepang', stressing that the race will also be an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two nations.
The calendar change still needs to receive the green light from the World Motor Sport Council, but according to Sky Sports, this step is considered a formality. However, the addition of Malaysia does not resolve all calendar dilemmas. Namely, the fate of the final two races of the season, in Qatar (November 27-29) and Abu Dhabi (December 4-6), remains uncertain due to the same geopolitical situation. Formula 1 has not yet changed those dates, but has indicated it is ready for further adjustments.
If both Qatar and Abu Dhabi had to be canceled, Formula 1 is already considering backup options. According to Sky Sports, Italy's Imola circuit, as well as Portugal and Turkey, which are otherwise set to return to the calendar only from 2027, are mentioned as possible alternative hosts. The speed with which the sport found a solution for the Malaysian race shows that organizers have the capacity for rapid changes, which could be crucial if the situation in the Middle East remains unstable until the end of the season.
