Malaysia to Host Postponed Bahrain GP in October

Malaysia is set to host a grand prix in October on behalf of Bahrain after the Gulf state's race was called off earlier this season due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The Sepang track near Kuala Lumpur will hold a race named the Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2 to 4, a week before the event in neighboring Singapore.

A statement from F1 indicated that this arrangement would help ensure F1 delivers 23 races for the 2026 season, with the rest of the schedule remaining unchanged. However, uncertainty persists regarding the final two scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi because of the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran. F1 is currently developing contingency plans for a race to replace Qatar and Abu Dhabi if those events cannot proceed due to the ongoing war. A decision on that does not have to be finalized until September, though several alternatives are being evaluated.

If Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot happen, the most likely venue to host a late-season race appears to be Imola in Italy, while Portimao in Portugal and Istanbul Park in Turkey are also under consideration, but with lower likelihood. Both of these tracks require construction work before their return to the calendar next year, and hosting a race in early December would complicate those efforts.

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were initially slated for April but were canceled in March due to the war launched by the US/Israel against Iran. F1 aims to host a minimum of 21 races, as falling below that threshold could trigger contractual obligations that might force the sport to pay rights fees back to broadcasters and potentially impact team sponsorship budgets.

The arrangement between Bahrain and Malaysia was heavily influenced by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who has had a vested interest in the Bahrain Grand Prix since its debut in 2004. Bahrain's sovereign investment fund is also the owner of the McLaren F1 team. F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali remarked, "We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026. Once again, the sport has demonstrated its capacity to adapt and find solutions, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1."

Domenicali expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for making this extraordinary outcome possible through their vision, commitment, and decisive actions.

Sepang, which last hosted a race in 2017 and first appeared in the F1 calendar in 1999, is a fan-favorite track. Domenicali noted, "Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It will offer a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans both at the circuit and watching around the world."