Iconic F1 circuit is now 'leading contender' to return to calendar during 2026 in surprise move

The Malaysian Grand Prix could be making an unexpected return to the Formula 1 calendar this year, it has been reported.

The FIA cancelled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, both scheduled in April, due to the Middle East conflict and are yet to reschedule them.

Several potential windows have opened up, including between the Grands Prix in Azerbaijan and Singapore in September and October respectively.

Another option is to add races on to the end of what is now a 22-race calendar, which concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6.

READ MORE: F1's latest update on cancelled Middle East races as new dates emerge

But with the United States resuming their attacks on Iran in recent weeks, the prospect of Bahrain or Saudi Arabia hosting a race in 2026 now appears to be 'extremely unlikely'.

That's according to The Race, who report the FIA's World Motor Sport Council will likely make a final decision on the future of the Bahrain race this weekend.

More significantly to F1 fans, though, will be the identity of one of the circuits that has been put forward to replace Bahrain.

Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit, which proved to be extremely popular with F1 viewers, is said to be a 'leading contender' to host a Grand Prix in 2026 for what would be the first time in nine years.

Alternative options are said to be few and far between, with Malaysia possessing an advantage in that it is close to Singapore and could therefore fill the aforementioned Baku-Singapore gap.

When did Malaysia last host F1 races?

The country hosted Grands Prix at the purpose-built circuit in Sepang between 1999 and 2017, and it had its fair share of memorable moments.

In 2003, McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen picked up his maiden victory in Formula 1, while Sergio Perez - driving the midfield Sauber car - almost did likewise in changeable conditions in 2012 before finishing a narrow second to Fernando Alonso.

Four years later, Lewis Hamilton was on course to win the race and take over the lead of the Drivers' Championship with five races to go when his engine failed. His team-mate Nico Rosberg went on to win his maiden title in Abu Dhabi.

The layout of the circuit also appealed to viewers, particularly due to the high-speed second sector and the last-corner hairpin, which split the lengthy back and main straights. The track was resurfaced in 2016.

Circuit organisers, however, decided in the same year that they would withdraw from hosting F1 races due to lowering ticket sales and for other economic reasons.

They were due to step away from F1 when their contract expired in 2018, but the Malaysian Grand Prix was last seen on the 2017 calendar.

Malaysia's then culture and tourism minister stated that F1 was 'more expensive and no longer that attractive' in the country.

Eight years on, F1 has been transformed in terms of popularity across the world since the sport's takeover by Liberty Media, and ticket sales would no doubt be significantly higher this time around if Sepang is re-added to the calendar - if only for a one-off race at this stage.