Sepang Confirmed as New Host for Relocated Bahrain Grand Prix

Formula 1 is officially returning to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017, with the Kuala Lumpur venue stepping in to host the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix on October 4. The event will run under the Bahrain Grand Prix banner as part of a revised 22-race calendar, with a deal finalized between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia.

Why it matters:

The return ends a nearly decade-long absence for Malaysian motorsport and preserves the championship’s race count after the original Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds were scrapped earlier this season due to regional conflict. Sepang’s location just hours from Singapore also creates a natural Southeast Asian swing, linking with Azerbaijan to form a demanding triple-header that should boost fan engagement across the region.

The details:

• The originally planned 24-race calendar was cut to 22 after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled amid escalating Middle East tensions. Bahrain had initially targeted an October 4 rearrangement at Sakhir, but worsening security conditions on the ground made hosting at the original venue impossible.
• Sepang emerged as the preferred substitute thanks to its existing FIA Grade 1 certification and close logistical ties to the Singapore Grand Prix, which follows just one week later on the calendar.
• Although an agreement is in place between all stakeholders, the Malaysian event technically remains subject to final contract sign-off before being formally locked into the schedule.

Looking ahead:

The 2026 calendar may still face late-season disruption. If the Qatar or Abu Dhabi rounds cannot proceed in their late-November slots due to the ongoing conflict, Imola has surfaced as the leading candidate to slot into the post-Las Vegas date on November 29. Portimão was also under consideration, but infrastructure work ahead of its 2027 return has reportedly handed the Italian venue the inside track.