Formula 1 to Return to Sepang as Malaysia Hosts Rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix

The Sepang International Circuit will host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2-4, 2026, bringing F1 back to the iconic Malaysian venue for the first time since 2017. The event will officially be known as the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

The race was originally scheduled to take place in Bahrain in April but was cancelled alongside the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix amid the conflict and security situation in the Middle East. The new agreement between Formula 1, the FIA, Bahrain and Malaysia allows the race to be preserved on the 2026 calendar, subject to final official approval.

Sepang's return adds another fascinating chapter to the 2026 season. The circuit, which hosted its first F1 race in 1999, is known for its challenging layout, passionate fans and unpredictable weather. Its return also creates an unusual calendar sequence, with the event sitting between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.

For F1 fans, it is a welcome return to a circuit that has produced some memorable moments in the sport's history. Max Verstappen was the last driver to win at Sepang in 2017, before Malaysia disappeared from the calendar after that season.

The rescheduled event brings the 2026 calendar back to 23 races, although questions remain over the final part of the season and whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds will go ahead as planned.

For now, though, one thing is certain: Sepang is back. And after a nine-year absence, Formula 1 will return to Malaysia in October for a race that was never originally supposed to be there.