Formula 1 moves Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia's Sepang circuit
The FIA has confirmed that the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will be staged at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on 4 October, with the race starting at 15:00 local time. That start time translates to 08:00 am in the United Kingdom and Ireland and 09:00 am in Central Europe.
The relocation follows the escalation of the Middle‑East conflict, which forced the cancellation of the originally scheduled events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia for safety reasons. Formula 1 officials, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, have said the championship must still fulfil its commercial commitments for a 22‑race season.
Because the situation remains uncertain, the series is preparing contingency plans for the 2026 season finale. If the Middle‑East races cannot proceed, a European venue such as Italy’s Imola circuit could host the final round. The uncertainty has also delayed the release of the 2027 calendar, with Barcelona being discussed as a possible replacement for the Bahrain pre‑season test.
Other motorsport series are reacting similarly; the World Endurance Championship has moved its Qatar and Bahrain rounds to Barcelona and Monza as part of a broader schedule reshuffle caused by the same geopolitical tensions.
Entities: Bahrain Grand Prix · Formula 1 (FOM) · Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) · Imola Circuit · Sepang International Circuit · Stefano Domenicali · World Endurance Championship (WEC)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Formula 1 delayed the publication of the 2027 race calendar until autumn because of Middle‑East uncertainty. (Formula 1 management)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The race start time of 15:00 local corresponds to 08:00 am in the United Kingdom and Ireland and 09:00 am in Central Europe. (FIA schedule)
- [● 3 SOURCES] If the Middle‑East situation remains unresolved, the 2026 season finale may be moved to a European circuit such as Imola. (Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 officials)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix was caused by the Middle‑East conflict making events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia unsafe. (FIA and Formula 1 officials)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Barcelona is being considered as a replacement venue for the Bahrain pre‑season test for 2027. (Formula 1 executives)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Stefano Domenicali said the championship must meet commercial agreements for a 22‑race season. (Stefano Domenicali)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The World Endurance Championship moved its Qatar and Bahrain races to Barcelona and Monza due to the same geopolitical tensions. (WEC officials)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The FIA confirmed the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on 4 October 2026, starting at 15:00 local time. (FIA)