Malaysia emerges as likely Bahrain replacement
Regional conflict has all but killed Bahrain's hopes of hosting a replacement race, and F1 is quietly circling a familiar old venue: Sepang, dormant since 2017.
Malaysia has emerged as a leading candidate for a surprise return to the Formula 1 calendar as renewed conflict involving Iran further weakens Bahrain's chances of hosting a replacement race.
Multiple outlets, including Reuters, The New York Times, Sky Sports, De Telegraaf and Malaysia's New Straits Times, report that Sepang is under consideration for the vacant October 4 date between Azerbaijan and Singapore.
No decision has yet been made, but Formula 1 is understood to want clarity before the summer break because of the major logistical challenge involved.
Sepang's location near Kuala Lumpur International Airport and less than an hour by air from Singapore makes it one of the most practical alternatives.
Malaysia hosted Formula 1 from 1999 until 2017, when Max Verstappen won the final race before rising fees and declining attendance ended the event.
The renewed interest follows another apparent collapse of plans to restore Bahrain to the calendar.
According to Japan's as-web.jp, Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa made a discreet visit to Spa last weekend and met Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali, leading team figures and manufacturer representatives.
The report said he was attempting to convince the paddock that Bahrain could safely host a race during the first week of October.
However, the situation deteriorated again almost immediately, with Iran reportedly attacking a US airbase in Sakhir. The base is adjacent to the Bahrain International Circuit, with its runway reportedly just 150 metres from Turn 4.
Suzuka has also been mentioned as an alternative option for F1, but one source said teams have less enthusiasm for returning to Japan for a second race this season.
Formula 1 is also awaiting this weekend's FIA World Motor Sport Council decision regarding postponed World Endurance Championship races in Bahrain and Qatar.
The status of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix later in the year may remain unresolved until approximately mid-September.
Should either or both disappear, Portimao is widely regarded as the strongest replacement option for the season finale, with Istanbul and Imola also mentioned.
Russell just wants to go racing
George Russell hopes Formula 1 finds enough replacements to preserve the full calendar.
"I'd love to have a 24-race season and get as many races as possible between here and the end of the season," the Mercedes driver said in Hungary.
"That doesn't change whether I was in the lead or second or third or fourth. I want to go racing, I love racing, I love the fight, and I hope, if we don't race in the Middle East, there's two replacements."
"I hope we can find maybe a race between Baku and Singapore. I'd be happy to go racing every weekend if I could."
Malaysian Grand Prix: fact box
| F1 calendar tenure | 1999-2017 |
|---|---|
| Circuit | Sepang International Circuit |
| Last winner | Max Verstappen (2017) |
| Vacant date under discussion | 4 October, between Azerbaijan and Singapore |
See also: 2026 F1 calendar on F1-Fansite.
Related: Pirelli: time has run out for a 2026 Bahrain return
One F1 fan comment on “Malaysia emerges as likely Bahrain replacement”
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Malaysia hasn’t been strongly interested in or attempting a (full-time) return since it voluntarily stopped hosting GPs following the 2017 edition, but a one-off return is another matter.
I still doubt this, especially for the interval weekend, due to sea freight logistics, unless having it on the Qatar & Abu Dhabi GP weekends allow enough time to make an overall route change on some front.
Another Baku round on the interval weekend could also be an option.
Temperatures in Sepang are at least more favorable in late-Novwember/early-December than in any South European circuit location, even the most southerly ones in Algarve & Jerez, as well as Istanbul Park, which I’m surprised hasn’t really been mentioned as a stand-in option even though it’ll return next season anyway.
The Buriram circuit is another Southeast Asian location that would fit if sea freight logistics allow.
Neither Imola nor Suzuka have even been mentioned & Suzuka would've otherwise had an extra round immediately after the original.