F1 Brings Malaysian GP Back After Nine-Year Absence

Formula 1 confirmed on Sunday that the Malaysian Grand Prix will return to the calendar for the 2026 season, marking the first time the race has been held since 2017. The event will serve as a replacement for the cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in late February.

Unique Naming Agreement Between Bahrain and Malaysia

In an unprecedented arrangement, the race will be officially titled the "Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia" following an agreement between the Bahraini and Malaysian governments. Gulf Air, the Bahrain national carrier and regular sponsor of the Bahrain GP, retains its naming rights despite the venue change.

The race is scheduled for October 4, forming part of a tripleheader alongside the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix in late September and early October. The 2026 season is now set to conclude with three tripleheaders — nine races in the span of 11 weeks — with the final race scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 6.

Logistics Drive Malaysia Selection

The decision to bring back the Malaysian GP was influenced heavily by logistical considerations. The Sepang International Circuit's close proximity to Singapore — approximately one hour flight time from Kuala Lumpur — and its location near Kuala Lumpur International Airport significantly eases the challenge of arranging and holding the race with just 10 weeks notice.

Although F1 has not visited Sepang since 2017, the 3.4-mile track has continued to host major international motorsport events, including the annual MotoGP race which has taken place since 1999 (excluding cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Teams Navigate Calendar Uncertainty

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs, originally scheduled for April, left a 35-day gap between the Japanese GP in late March and the Miami GP in early May. The uncertainty has created significant challenges for F1 teams regarding freight routing, team kit logistics, and cost cap adjustments.

During a news conference at the British GP in early July, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur addressed the challenges alongside McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen.

"We all want to go to races and we all want to race again and more, but it is like it is," Vasseur said. "We have huge trust in the FIA and FOM (the F1 organization) on the calendar. They are working hard to find solutions and I'm really convinced that they are doing the best."

Season Finale Remains Uncertain

While the Malaysian GP has been confirmed, uncertainty remains around the end of the season. The Qatar GP, slated for November 29, and the Abu Dhabi finale face similar uncertainty due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The president of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation previously indicated that the Qatar GP would not move its race date if F1 attempted to reschedule cancelled races near the end of the season.

F1 had been exploring options for reinstating the Bahrain GP in the October 4 slot after a ceasefire made this possible, until the agreement broke down in early July. The longer gap to the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events means F1 can likely wait until late September before making a final call on whether they can proceed as planned or if further replacement races or cancellations are required.

Verstappen Holds Last Malaysian GP Victory

The Malaysian GP held a spot on the F1 calendar from 1999 to 2017, with Max Verstappen winning the most recent edition at Sepang International Circuit for Red Bull. The track is characterized by its two long main straights lined by large grandstands and fast flowing corners around the rest of the lap that are popular with drivers.