< Back to situations

Get alerts on this situation

We’ll email you as it develops, and you can follow the whole thread from day one.

Unsubscribe anytime.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

12 clusters · 240 sources · 26 days · First seen 27 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Categories: SPORTS

Sepang to host Bahrain GP Oct 2026

Entities: Stefano Domenicali · FIA · Bahrain Grand Prix · Sepang International Circuit · Malaysia

Overview

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, originally slated for April, has been relocated to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit and scheduled for early October (now confirmed for 4 October, within the 2‑4 October window). The move, prompted by the escalating war in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel, was formalised through an agreement signed by the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia together with the FIA and Formula 1 management.

The event will retain its official title, the “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia”, and will slot between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (26‑28 September) and the Singapore Grand Prix (9‑11 October), restoring the season to 23 races. Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali called the solution “fantastic news for our fans”. Bahrain’s sovereign‑wealth fund Mumtalakat will underwrite most of the costs.

Sepang’s inclusion marks its return to the Formula 1 calendar for the first time since 2017. While the rest of the calendar remains unchanged, the future of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds stays uncertain, with Imola mentioned as a possible backup if regional tensions persist. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the Gulf situation will continue to be monitored.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 13 SOURCES] Adding the Sepang round brings the 2026 Formula 1 calendar to 23 Grands Prix. (multiple sources)
[● 12 SOURCES] The relocation results from an agreement signed by the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia, the FIA and Formula 1. (multiple sources)
[● 11 SOURCES] The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for April was cancelled due to the Iran‑related war in the Middle East. (multiple sources)
[● 11 SOURCES] Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the sport’s ability to adapt was “fantastic news for our fans”. (multiple sources)
[● 10 SOURCES] The Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit on 2‑4 October 2026. (multiple sources)
[● 10 SOURCES] The race will retain the name “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia”. (multiple sources)
[● 10 SOURCES] The Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang will be scheduled between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (26‑28 September) and the Singapore Grand Prix (9‑11 October) 2026. (multiple sources)
[● 5 SOURCES] Bahrain’s sovereign‑wealth fund Mumtalakat will fund the majority of the costs for the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. (multiple sources)
[● 4 SOURCES] The future of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds remains uncertain, with Imola suggested as a possible replacement. (multiple sources)

Timeline

1 day ago

[SPORTS] 136 sources FAST-MOVING
Bahrain Grand Prix moved to Malaysia's Sepang circuit
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, cancelled in April due to Middle‑East conflict, will be held on 4 October at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit as the “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia”, keeping the F1 calendar at 3
1 day ago

[SPORTS] 9 sources
Imola circuit eyed as F1 season finale amid Middle East conflict
Formula One may move the season finale to Italy's Imola circuit if Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are cancelled over Middle East tensions, while Malaysia prepares to host a substitute Bahrain race in October.
3 days ago

[SPORTS] 94 sources
Sepang Circuit poised to rejoin Formula 1 calendar in 2026
Formula 1 seeks to fill Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s cancelled slots by adding a Sepang Grand Prix on 4 October 2026, pending a Malaysian government announcement.
6 days ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
Formula One cancels Bahrain Grand Prix amid escalating Middle East conflict
Formula One has cancelled the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix due to an escalating Middle East conflict, while its 2026 calendar adds a Madrid race and retains Bahrain for April 12.
9 days ago

[SPORTS] 4 sources
Formula 1 explores Portimão and Baku as replacements for cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix
Formula 1 is planning to replace the cancelled Bahrain GP with a possible race at Portugal’s Portimão or a second event in Baku, amid renewed Middle East conflict, prioritising safety and schedule continuity.
11 days ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
World Endurance Championship to shift 2026 season finale to Europe amid Middle East tensions
The WEC plans to move its 2026 season finale from Bahrain to European tracks Barcelona and Monza after cancelling Qatar and Bahrain rounds due to Middle East tensions, pending FIA approval.
12 days ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
US‑Iran Conflict Disrupts 2026 Formula 1 Calendar
US‑Iran fighting has led to the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi F1 races for 2026, prompting Liberty Media to seek replacements like a Singapore or Baku double‑header, while Turkey and European venues are off
14 days ago

[SPORTS] 15 sources
Bahrain GP dropped from 2026 F1 calendar amid Middle East tensions
Bahrain GP is cancelled again for 2026 as US‑Iran tensions rise, putting Qatar and Abu Dhabi races in doubt and prompting the FIA to consider a reduced calendar and alternative venues.
17 days ago

[SPORTS] 3 sources
Bahrain Grand Prix remains cancelled; officials consider October reschedule as motorsport adjusts
Bahrain has not used its UAE swap and eyes an October F1 race despite conflict, while Formula 3 reshapes its 2026 finale in Spain to replace the cancelled Bahrain round.
22 days ago

[SPORTS] 7 sources
Formula 1 eyes Portimão as backup venue amid Middle‑East race cancellations
Formula 1 plans to use Portugal’s Portimão circuit as a backup if Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are cancelled, after Middle‑East events were dropped due to the Iran conflict.
22 days ago

[SPORTS] 17 sources
Bahrain Grand Prix may return to 2026 F1 calendar
F1 aims to reinstate a cancelled Gulf race, likely Bahrain, in early October 2026, pending a pre‑summer‑break decision; Portimão is a fallback for final rounds if Qatar/Abu Dhabi are still unsafe.
27 days ago

[SPORTS] 4 sources
Formula 1 eyes alternative 2026 finale as Middle East conflict looms
Formula 1 is weighing a Las Vegas double‑header or a European finale at Barcelona and Portimão as alternatives to the cancelled Middle‑East races for the 2026 season.

Sources

0223.com.ar · 24hod.sk · 442.perfil.com · abola.pt · adnKronos.com · ajansspor.com · allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · analysis.actualno.com · antaranews.com · archysport.com · aredacao.com.br · askanews.it · aucklandfood.org · auto-moto.com · autoaction.com.au · autocult.fr · autogear.pt · autoracing.com.br · autoracing1.com · autosport.pt · autosportwereld.be · autotypos.gr · bahrain-confidential.com · barq-news.com · berita.rtm.gov.my · beta.rs · bhaskarlive.in · blogit.savonsanomat.fi · brokerage-insurance.com · bs-media.de · ca.sports.yahoo.com · capital.gr · careta.my · centrostudiamericani.org · cn24tv.it · consumeradvocates.org · contilnetnoticias.com.br · cosenzapage.it · crash.net · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · cyprus-mail.com · cyprusairclub.com · cyrkf1.pl · deccanchronicle.com · decideo.fr · delcampe.net · derwesten.de · dhnet.be

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history