Formula 1 is poised to return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Sepang International Circuit set to host the Bahrain Grand Prix. Multiple sources, including ESPN, and Motorsport.com have indicated that the addition is set to be confirmed.
Bahrain was expected to host round four of the 2026 World Championship on April 12, only for the race to be postponed after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Following the implementation of a ceasefire, Bahrain looked poised to return for October 4, only for hostilities to resume around July, ending any chance of the country hosting a race in 2026.
With F1 required to host 22 races, there had been discussions over a second event in Las Vegas or Singapore; however, both races came with potential pitfalls, particularly disruption to the residents.
Step forward Sepang, with the Malaysian government set to announce the sport’s return on October 4 as early as next Sunday. However, according to BBC Sport, the race will not be run as the Malaysian GP but rather as the Bahrain GP held in Malaysia.
Sepang’s return means October features three races, with Singapore following on from Malaysia on October 11. October will be bookended by the United States GP held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 25.
Malaysia joined the F1 calendar in 1999 as part of Bernie Ecclestone’s plan to expand the sport’s outreach in Asia and North America. The circuit, located around an hour from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, was praised for its modern facilities and quickly became a test of driver fitness due to the intense humidity.
Eddie Irvine won the inaugural Malaysian GP for Ferrari and was joined on the podium by teammate Michael Schumacher in his first race back after breaking his leg at the British GP.
Malaysia hosted the 2000 season finale with Schumacher taking the win from Rubens Barrichello as Ferrari made it back-to-back Constructors’ titles.
Malaysia was moved to the second round of the world championship from 2001 onwards, with the circuit playing host to several key moments in the sport’s history. Kimi Raikkonen’s took his first career win at Sepang in 2003, while Fernando Alonso’s charged from eighth to win a dramatic race in 2012.
The 2009 edition saw monsoon conditions stop the race after 31 laps, making it the then-fifth-shortest race in F1 history, with Jenson Button declared the winner.
However, a combination of declining ticket sales and rising costs put the race on the scrapheap, with Daniel Ricciardo winning the last Malaysian GP in 2017.
Despite F1’s exit, Sepang has continued to host top-line motorsport, such as the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix and Super GT championship.
There are rumors circulating that Malaysia is unlikely to be the only new addition to the 2026 calendar. Two European venues sit hotly tipped to replace Yas Marina as host of the season finale on December 6.
Portimao, due to return to the F1 calendar in 2027 and onward, had been expected to return one year early. However, with the owners of the Algarve International Circuit seeking to make improvements before 2027, Imola could serve as the late reprieve, as per The Race.
Imola returned to the F1 calendar in 2020 after several races were canceled following the COVID-19 outbreak, with the venue located in Italy’s ‘Auto Valley’ hosting the Emilia-Romagna GP.
Unlike other replacement venues, Imola remained on the calendar long after COVID restrictions eased, continuing to host the Emilia-Romagna GP until 2025. Despite losing its spot on the calendar for 2026, Imola remained keen to return and was mooted as a possible replacement for Madring if the circuit failed inspections.
But with Madring being well on course to host the Spanish GP on September 13, Imola looked out of luck, but now looks poised to step in once again. However, with the European winter set to be extremely harsh in December, Imola could play host to one of the coldest races in F1 history.
