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Bahrain GP Moves to Malaysia Amidst War Concerns
26 Jul
Summary
- Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled in April will be held in Malaysia.
- Sepang International Circuit will host the race from Oct 2-4, 2026.
- Middle East war concerns led to the cancellation and relocation.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April but cancelled due to the Middle East war, will now be held in Malaysia. Formula One organizers confirmed that the Sepang International Circuit, near Kuala Lumpur, will host the "Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia" from October 2-4, 2026. This decision reshapes the F1 calendar, which initially planned for 24 races but faced cancellations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed enthusiasm for returning to Sepang, a venue with a significant F1 history, last used in 2017. The rescheduled race fits between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11, restoring the championship to 23 events. Bahrain is expected to cover substantial costs for this relocation.
Uncertainty persists regarding the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for late November. Potential cancellations could lead to alternative solutions, such as double-headers in Las Vegas or a return to European circuits like Imola or Portimao. A final decision on these concluding rounds is anticipated by late September or early October.
