Formula 1 returns to Sepang as Malaysia to host 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix
Formula 1 and the FIA have officially confirmed that Malaysia will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2026, with the Sepang International Circuit set to host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2-4.
The race will replace the Bahrain round originally scheduled to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Despite being held in Malaysia, the event will retain the Bahrain Grand Prix name as part of an agreement reached between Formula 1, the FIA, the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia, and the event's stakeholders.
The announcement marks Formula 1's return to Sepang for the first time since 2017. The Malaysian circuit was a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar between 1999 and 2017 and hosted many memorable races before leaving the championship due to declining attendance and financial considerations.
The addition of Sepang restores the 2026 Formula 1 calendar to 23 races after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled earlier this season because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the resulting security concerns.
While the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has not been replaced, Formula 1 and the FIA worked with Bahrain and Malaysian authorities to ensure the Bahrain Grand Prix could still be held later in the year at an alternative venue.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali thanked all parties involved in making the event possible, praising the cooperation between Bahrain, Malaysia and the FIA in preserving a full championship schedule.
He also highlighted Sepang's rich Formula 1 heritage, describing it as a circuit that has produced many memorable moments throughout its history.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the governing body's priority remains the safety of everyone involved while maintaining the integrity of the FIA Formula One World Championship. He commended the collaborative efforts that allowed a solution to be found under challenging circumstances.
The race will officially be known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, creating a unique chapter in Formula 1 history by staging a national Grand Prix outside the country it represents.
The event is expected to attract significant interest from fans eager to see Formula 1 return to one of the sport's most popular and challenging circuits after a nine-year absence.
