Malaysia will officially return to the Formula One calendar after nearly a decade by hosting the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit from October 2 to 4, following a landmark agreement between Formula One, Bahrain and Malaysia.
Formula One confirmed the arrangement in a statement, describing it as a historic agreement that will preserve a Grand Prix on this year’s calendar despite disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The race will be positioned between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix.
The championship praised both Bahrain and Malaysia for making the unprecedented arrangement possible.
“A historic agreement to preserve a Grand Prix this year. Demonstrating the sport’s ability to adapt, and showcasing the great vision of Bahrain and their commitment to F1, as well as the generosity of Malaysia to make this possible,” Formula One said.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled to be held earlier this year but was postponed due to the regional conflict involving Iran. As the security situation prevented Bahrain from staging the race on a revised date, Malaysia stepped in to ensure the event could still take place.
Although the race will be held at Sepang, it will remain an official Bahrain Grand Prix, marking the first time in Formula One history that a championship round will be staged in a different country while retaining the identity of the original host nation.
Malaysia last hosted a Formula One race in 2017, ending an 18-year run after the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix was introduced in 1999.
