Formula 1 will return to Sepang in 2026
Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile have announced that the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The race weekend is scheduled for October 2-4. The event will carry the official name “Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.” Placed between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, the race will bring Formula 1 back to Sepang for the first time since 2017.
According to the July 26 announcement from the FIA and Formula One Management, the event remains subject to final agreements and official approval by the World Motor Sport Council. The announcement therefore confirms the planned calendar return while leaving an administrative approval process to be completed. Formula 1 said information about ticket sales will be announced later.
The Bahrain race will take place in Malaysia
The agreement involves Formula 1, the FIA, the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia, and their event partners. Under the arrangement, a race planned in Bahrain will be staged in Malaysia while retaining the Bahrain Grand Prix name. Formula 1 and the FIA said the solution preserves a Grand Prix that otherwise would not have taken place during the 2026 season.
Reuters reported on July 26 that races originally planned in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April had been removed from the calendar because of regional security conditions. The Sepang decision places the Bahrain event back on the programme in another country. Reuters said the change restored the season to a 23-race calendar. Formula 1's official statement said the remainder of the 2026 schedule was unchanged.
Sepang returns after a nine-year absence
Sepang International Circuit first hosted Formula 1 in 1999. Its most recent Formula 1 race took place in 2017. The venue continued to host other forms of motorsport after leaving the Formula 1 calendar, but the October event will mark the championship's return to Malaysia after nine years.
Formula 1 and the FIA describe Sepang as a challenging circuit that is known for unpredictable weather. Its long straights, fast corners and possibility of rain can create different strategic demands for teams. The exact sporting effect will not be clear until practice sessions begin and detailed weather forecasts become available closer to the event.
The calendar position is confirmed
The weekend is due to begin on Friday, October 2, with the Grand Prix taking place on Sunday, October 4. The Sepang round will follow the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and precede the Singapore Grand Prix. That placement connects three different venues during the Asian portion of the championship schedule.
The organisers have confirmed the dates, venue and official event name, but they have not yet published detailed session times or the ticket release plan. Spectators will need to follow official announcements from Formula 1, the FIA and Sepang International Circuit for ticketing, transport and timetable information. Those details should not be treated as final until the organisers publish them.
Officials emphasize cooperation
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said Formula One Management and partners in Bahrain and Malaysia explored available options while keeping the safety and wellbeing of teams, volunteers, officials and fans as a priority. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the country was ready to demonstrate its ability to host a major international event.
Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali also confirmed that Malaysia would host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026 and highlighted Sepang's history in the championship. The official announcements did not say whether the arrangement would lead to a longer-term return of a Malaysian Grand Prix. The current agreement specifically covers the 2026 Bahrain event at Sepang.
Final approval and ticket information are next
The next formal step is the completion of the required agreements and approval by the World Motor Sport Council. Ticket information and a detailed weekend schedule are expected afterward. If those conditions are completed, Sepang will host Formula 1 cars again from October 2-4, 2026.
