F1 track absent for nine years set for shock calendar return as Bahrain replacement

Malaysia’s Sepang track is reportedly set to host an F1 race for the first time since 2017 later this year on behalf of Bahrain.

After the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix were cancelled due to conflict in the Middle East in March, it was unclear whether the aforementioned events would be replaced or if the calendar would be reduced to 22 races instead of the originally planned 24.

However, as reported by BBC Sport, the Sepang track, located near Kuala Lumpur, will host the event on behalf of the Bahrain Grand Prix between October 2 and 4.

The decision has been made by F1, although it has yet to go through a formal sign-off process, including the FIA.

Max Verstappen won the last Grand Prix at Sepang, while Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo finished second and third.

The addition of the Malaysian race means drivers will compete in three consecutive weeks. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on September 26, before the Malaysian race on October 4 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.

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The Malaysian Grand Prix, which was notorious for its heat and humidity, making for challenging driving conditions, previously took place between 1963 and 1965 before returning from 1999 to 2017.

The Qatar and Abu Dhabi races, set to take place in November and December, remain in doubt as the conflict, which stems from the war between Iran and the US, rages on in the Middle East.

If the remaining two Middle East races cannot go ahead, Italy's Imola will likely step in.

Portugal's Portimão and Turkey's Istanbul Park are also under consideration, although they are considered less likely options should the remaining Middle East races be cancelled.

F1 wants at least 21 races to go ahead in the 2026 campaign, as otherwise it may breach its contractual media agreements and have to pay back fees to broadcasters. The same applies to teams, which may also have to return sponsorship fees.

F1 interest growing in Malaysia

Despite part of the reason for dropping the Malaysian race after 2017 being a lack of interest and struggles to attract crowds, former Sepang International Circuit CEO Razlan Razali believes F1 has grown in the country due to the influence of the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive, which appealed to a wave of new fans.

“It has now been more than five years. If there is an official request from Liberty Media for Sepang to take over a cancelled round, I think Malaysia should seriously consider it because opportunities like this do not come often,” he told Malaysian news agency Bernama.

He then suggested ticket prices must be “reasonable” due to the time constraints the organisers would be working under before adding: “In terms of the track, facilities and paddock buildings, I believe there will be no issues. What matters is that F1 and the FIA accept the existing conditions because there is simply not enough time for major modifications."

The next race on the calendar takes place in Hungary on Sunday (July 26).