Sepang Circuit poised to rejoin Formula 1 calendar in 2026
The 2026 Formula 1 season lost its planned Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix after the Middle‑East conflict escalated, leaving two vacant slots in the schedule. To preserve the contractual minimum of 22 races, the sport’s organizers are examining a replacement on 4 October at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, fitting between the Azerbaijan and Singapore rounds. Sepang, which hosted F1 events from 1999 to 2017, is praised by drivers for its fast layout and challenging heat, and it still hosts MotoGP, meaning the infrastructure remains suitable.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a formal announcement would be made on Sunday, confirming that discussions are ongoing between the FIA, F1 management and Malaysian authorities. If approved, the Sepang race would be the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia since 2017 and would help the championship meet its 22‑race commitment, avoiding heavy penalties. Other contingency venues such as Portugal’s Portimão and Turkey’s Istanbul Park have been mentioned, but Sepang’s geographic proximity to Singapore makes it the preferred option.
The development reflects how geopolitical tensions can reshape global sport calendars, with the Middle‑East situation directly influencing race allocations across several countries.