Formula 1 confirmed on Sunday morning (July 26) that the Bahrain Grand Prix will remain on the 2026 calendar, though the event will be held at Sepang in Malaysia. The country was chosen to join the schedule following the escalation of conflicts between the United States and Iran in the Middle East, which made hosting rounds in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Sakhir, Bahrain unviable, while also casting doubt over races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The peculiar situation has a simple explanation: the Bahraini government is financing the event, with the country’s flag carrier serving as title sponsor. Officially, the race will be designated as the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

“We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix. Once again, our sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver results, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, as well as their respective governments, for making this extraordinary outcome possible through their vision, commitment, and decisive action,” he added, extending his gratitude to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem “for his partnership and collaboration throughout this process.”

“Most importantly, this is fantastic news for the fans. They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, alongside witnessing the sport’s return to a great circuit. Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in history. It will provide a spectacular stage for racing and an unforgettable experience both for trackside fans and those tuning in around the world,” he concluded.

The Malaysian GP returns to the F1 calendar after nearly a decade (Photo: Sepang International Circuit)

Ben Sulayem cited the “tireless work” of everyone involved in prioritizing “the safety and well-being of teams, volunteers, officials, colleagues, and fans” during the decision-making process.

“I am proud of the collaboration that will allow Malaysia to host the 2026 Bahrain GP at the iconic Sepang circuit. Throughout this entire process, the FIA, Formula One Management, and our partners in Bahrain worked tirelessly to explore every option, keeping the safety and well-being of the teams, volunteers, officials, colleagues, and fans as our top priority,” Ben Sulayem stated.

“Malaysia has always held an important place in Formula 1 history, and the World Championship’s return to Sepang is a testament to our close relationship with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia, the ongoing commitment of the Malaysian Government, and the strength of international cooperation in our sport,” he continued.

Returning to the schedule after nearly a decade, the Malaysian round has been slotted between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix to form a triple-header, scheduled for October 2–4. Sepang hosted Formula 1 from 1999 to 2017 and was consistently praised by drivers and teams alike. However, high hosting fees ultimately led to its departure from the calendar.

Formula 1 initially considered keeping the Sakhir round squeezed between Azerbaijan and Singapore should a ceasefire between the United States and Iran be reached. The conflict has impacted several Middle Eastern nations hosting U.S. military bases, including Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Faced with this scenario, Formula 1 sought alternatives to prevent the original 24-race calendar from dropping to just 20 rounds. With Sepang confirmed, the championship stands at 21 races. Additionally, the sport is evaluating the possibility of Imola stepping in to replace Abu Dhabi as the season finale.

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