Bahrain Grand Prix Moves to Malaysia: F1 Back at Sepang in 2026
Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed that the postponed 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on 2 to 4 October 2026. Bahrain keeps the race name, so the event runs officially as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. It is Formula 1's first race at Sepang since 2017, and it slots into the calendar between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix.
Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia?
The race was originally scheduled for the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on 12 April. It was postponed in March, along with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, following the outbreak of the conflict involving Iran and the wider instability across the region. With hostilities continuing, staging the race in Bahrain was no longer viable.
Rather than lose the round entirely, Formula 1, the FIA, the Government of Bahrain and the Government of Malaysia reached an agreement to move it. In its announcement, Formula 1 said the arrangementallows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise not have happened.
We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026. Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver. Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he wasincredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Malaysia to host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the iconic Sepang circuit. Bahrain's Crown Prince, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said the event reflects Bahrain's enduring commitment to the sport, while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his country was honoured to support Bahrain, Formula 1 and the FIA in hosting it.
When is the race and where does it sit on the calendar?
The weekend runs from Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October 2026, making it round 16 of 23. It lands between two other flyaway rounds, which turns late September and early October into a run of three race weekends in a row:
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku, 26 September
- Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Sepang, 4 October
- Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay, 11 October
Formula 1 confirmed that the rest of the 2026 schedule is unchanged. The addition is subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
What does this mean for the rest of the 2026 season?
The 2026 championship was planned as 24 rounds. Losing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in March cut it to 22. Restoring Bahrain at Sepang takes the season back up to 23 races.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah has not been given a replacement date and remains off the 2026 calendar. Our2026 F1 calendar pagehas been updated with the new round and the revised numbering for every race that follows.
How significant is Formula 1's return to Sepang?
Sepang hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017, a run of 19 races, before dropping off the calendar. Opened in 1999 to a Hermann Tilke design, it was the first purpose-built Formula 1 circuit in Asia and has stayed in continuous use, hosting MotoGP every season since.
The 5.543km lap has 15 turns and a track width of between 16 and 22 metres. The outright Formula 1 lap record still belongs to Sebastian Vettel, who set a 1:34.080 in a Ferrari SF70H at the 2017 race.
When do tickets go on sale?
Not yet. Formula 1's announcement states only that information about the ticket release will be announced soon, with no on-sale date or prices published so far. Trackside Seats compares grandstand views and prices across the circuits we cover, so it is worth knowing which of Sepang's stands are covered and which are open to the sky before anything goes live.
FAQ
Is this the Malaysian Grand Prix?
No. Bahrain retains the naming rights, so the event is officially the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. It is the Bahrain round of the championship, simply run at a different venue.
When did Formula 1 last race at Sepang?
October 2017, the final Malaysian Grand Prix. The 2026 event ends a nine year absence from the Formula 1 calendar.
What happened to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?
It was cancelled in March 2026 at the same time as Bahrain and has not been rescheduled. Unlike Bahrain, no replacement venue or date has been announced for 2026.
How many races are in the 2026 F1 season now?
23. The season was originally planned as 24 rounds, fell to 22 when Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled, and returns to 23 with Bahrain restored at Sepang.
Is there a sprint race at Sepang?
No sprint has been announced for the Sepang weekend. The six 2026 sprint events are China, Miami, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Singapore.
