Formula 1 will return to Malaysia for the first time in nine years after the FIA and Formula One Management confirmed that Sepang International Circuit will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from Oct. 2-4 as round 16 of the 2026 World Championship.
The event, slotted between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, is the product of an agreement between the FIA, FOM, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia, and their respective governments. The arrangement allows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise not have taken place amid what Bahrain described as “ongoing regional challenges.” The event remains subject to final agreements and approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said safety considerations drove the process. “Throughout this process, the FIA, Formula One Management, and our partners in Bahrain have worked tirelessly to explore every option, with the safety and wellbeing of the teams, volunteers, officials, our colleagues, and fans remaining our highest priority,” he said. Ben Sulayem added that the return to Sepang “is testament to our close relationship with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia, the continued commitment of the Malaysian Government, and the strength of international cooperation within our sport.”
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, framed the arrangement as a reflection of bilateral ties between the two nations. “Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a successful and memorable race for everyone involved,” he said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim called the collaboration “more than the staging of a world-class sporting event,” saying it “reflects the enduring friendship, mutual trust and close partnership between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, while reaffirming Malaysia’s readiness and capability to host major international events.”
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali praised all parties for their decisive action. “We have all shown once again that Formula 1 can adapt, find solutions and deliver results and give a great surprise to everyone following our sport,” Domenicali said. He described Sepang as one of the sport’s “most iconic circuits” with “a rich history in Formula 1.”
The 5.5-kilometer Sepang circuit first appeared on the F1 calendar in 1999 and hosted 19 consecutive Grands Prix before dropping off the schedule after 2017. The layout, featuring a blend of high-speed corners and hairpins, earned a reputation for producing dramatic racing, often influenced by unpredictable tropical weather. The rest of the 2026 schedule remains unchanged.