Bahrain GP Relocates to Sepang
Formula 1 Confirms Bahrain Grand Prix Relocation to Malaysia for 2026 Season
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Key Points
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The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, including approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
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Sepang has hosted a MotoGP race since 1999, underscoring Sepang's versatility and appeal beyond Formula 1.
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The original 24-race F1 calendar was trimmed because Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled due to the war, with uncertainty over Qatar and Abu Dhabi's late-season rounds.
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly welcomed the arrangement, emphasising Malaysia's readiness to host major international events and highlighting a long-standing partnership with Bahrain.
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The rest of the 2026 schedule remains unchanged, with discussions about potential late-season replacements (such as back-to-back Las Vegas races or one-off European finales) if needed.
Formula 1 will return to Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017, with the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix set to race there on October 2-4, 2026, according to Biz Today. The event fills a gap left by the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, which were dropped from the original 24-race calendar due to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran.
The FIA and Formula One Management confirmed the move jointly. Bahrain is willing to cover much of the rescheduling costs, helping keep the 2026 season at 23 races, El-Balad reported.
Sepang Returns After a Nine-Year Absence
Malaysia last held a Formula 1 race in 2017. The Sepang circuit dropped off the calendar after that, but it never stopped hosting major motorsport. It has run MotoGP every year since 1999, proving it can handle top-tier international racing, according to Head Topics.
The new race slots between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix on the 2026 calendar. The rest of the schedule stays unchanged. The event is branded as a one-off, but it carries the full Bahrain Grand Prix name and all the points that come with it.
War in the Middle East Forced the Calendar Shake-Up
The original 2026 F1 calendar had 24 races. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were both cut after their races became untenable amid the regional conflict. That left a shrinking schedule, with more uncertainty still possible, The Chronicle reported.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi's late-season rounds are also under review. Formula 1 is exploring backup options. Those include running back-to-back races in Las Vegas or staging one-off European finales to fill any further gaps, according to SSB Crack News.
Malaysia and Bahrain Governments Seal the Deal Together
The agreement brings together four parties: the FIA, Formula One Management, and the governments of both Bahrain and Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly welcomed the deal. He said it shows Malaysia's readiness to host major international events and pointed to a long-standing partnership between the two countries, according to Biz Today.
Bahrain's willingness to absorb much of the cost made the switch possible. The race keeps Bahrain's name and slot on the calendar, just at a different address. It is a practical solution that protects both countries' interests while keeping Formula 1's season intact.
Final Approval Still Needed Before the Race Is Official
The deal is not fully locked in yet. It still needs sign-off from the World Motor Sport Council before it becomes official, Head Topics noted. That approval is a standard step for any change to the F1 calendar.
For Malaysia, the race is also seen as an economic opportunity. Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix draws global attention, tourism, and broadcast revenue. If the event goes well, it could open the door for Malaysia to return to the calendar on a more permanent basis, according to Head Topics.
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