Bahrain GP to Be Held in Malaysia: F1 2026 Calendar Shake-Up

Malaysia is set to make a shock return to the Formula 1 calendar, but with a twist: it will host the Bahrain Grand Prix, not the Malaysian Grand Prix. The unexpected announcement came after negotiations involving Bahrain, Malaysia, and F1.

Sepang International Circuit, which last hosted an F1 race in 2017, will stage the event. The race will officially be called the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as Bahrain is covering a significant portion of the costs. Gulf Air, Bahrain's national airline, will also serve as title sponsor.

F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali welcomed the unique arrangement. "We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026," he said. "Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver."

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The race is scheduled for October 4, filling the slot originally allocated to Bahrain. It will form a triple-header with the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. This adds to an already packed 2026 season, which is set to feature three triple-headers, each separated by a week's break.

However, doubts remain over the planned races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. F1 has a contingency plan for Imola to host the season finale if the Middle East races are cancelled. This would ensure the calendar stays at 22 races, avoiding compensation payments to broadcasters. A final decision is expected by mid-October.

The weekend schedule at Sepang will follow the standard format. FP1 starts at 5:30am BST, followed by FP2 at 9am BST. The return to Malaysia is great news for fans, especially since Sepang is a popular track among drivers and fans alike.

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