Sepang in Malaysia Replaces Cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix
Formula 1 has announced that the legendary Malaysian circuit will host the race on October 4, 2026, bringing the season calendar back to 23 Grands Prix.
Formula 1 has announced that the legendary Malaysian circuit will host the race on October 4, 2026, bringing the season calendar back to 23 Grands Prix.
Formula 1 announced on Sunday, July 26, 2026, during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend at the Hungaroring, that the Sepang circuit in Malaysia will host a replacement race for the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix. The race is scheduled for October 4, 2026, and will officially be called the "Bahrain Grand Prix Gulf Air", slotting into the calendar between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.
The regular Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April 2026, was cancelled due to the security situation in the Middle East. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah was also cancelled for the same reason. With two races removed from the Middle East, the season calendar was left short of planned races, prompting intense negotiations to find a replacement. The agreement that enabled Sepang's return was reached between the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain, Formula 1, and the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised the agreement.
"Our fans will continue to enjoy a rich and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also being able to watch races at one of the great tracks again. Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It will provide a spectacular stage for racing and an unforgettable experience for spectators at the track and in front of screens around the world", Domenicali said in a Formula 1 statement released in Hungary. According to the same statement, Domenicali added that these are "great news for the fans".
The Malaysian Sepang circuit last hosted Formula 1 back in 2017, meaning the competition returns to this track after a nine-year hiatus. The circuit is known in F1 circles for its challenging layout of corners, high temperatures and humidity, which present specific challenges for drivers and engineers in car setup. Sepang's return has been met with enthusiasm in the Asian region, which in recent seasons has followed F1 races mainly in Singapore, Japan and China.
With the inclusion of Sepang, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar once again reaches 23 Grands Prix. However, according to information from sources close to the situation at the Hungaroring, the end of the season remains uncertain. There is speculation whether the last two races of the season will be held in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, given that the security situation in the Middle East has not yet been fully resolved. According to the same sources, Italy's Imola, known as Ferrari's home track, is being considered as a possible alternative for the final race of the season if the Middle East races cannot be held.
The coming weeks will bring a clearer picture of the final season schedule. Right before the replacement race in Sepang, on September 26, 2026, drivers compete in Azerbaijan, and a week after Malaysia, on October 11, the night race in Singapore is on the agenda. Formula 1, owned by Liberty Media, continues to monitor developments in the Middle East region and will announce final decisions on the remaining races of the season as needed.
