The Malaysian government has officially confirmed that it is in discussions to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit as a replacement for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was cancelled earlier in the season.
Exchanges between the Formula 1 and Malaysia did take place and the Sepang circuit is being seriously considered for a return in 2026. This is indeed what Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Malaysian Minister of Sports and Youth, confirms in an official statement. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports is actively discussing and evaluating the proposal.”he indicated, explaining that « Preliminary information regarding the possibility of hosting a Formula 1 race at the Sepang International Circuit as a replacement for the Bahrain Grand Prix »
The context that led to this situation is now well known. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, scheduled for April, were cancelled in March due to the armed conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, reducing the 2026 F1 calendar from 24 to 22 rounds for the time being.
Malaysia, an obvious logistical choice
Geography naturally favors Sepang. The Malaysian circuit, located in the immediate vicinity of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, is ideally positioned between Baku and Singapore to host a replacement event.
The logistics of transporting equipment, a major constraint for any potential organizer, would thus be greatly simplified compared to other options considered, such as a return to Europe which remains excluded at this time of year due to the temperatures.
Turkey is also mentioned as a potential candidate, particularly because of its proximity to Baku, but also because The return of the Istanbul Park circuit is planned for the 2027 Formula 1 calendar. and for at least four more years. However, Sepang seems to be gaining more favor within Formula 1 circles.
However, Malaysia left the F1 calendar in 2017 precisely because of the hosting fees demanded by Formula 1, which were deemed too high relative to the return on investment. The situation has since changed, and the urgency of the 2026 calendar significantly alters the balance of power in the negotiations.
Lmid-September as the deadline
From a decision-making standpoint, Formula 1 still has a few weeks before it has to make a final decision. At the beginning of the month, Stefano Domenicali set a mid-September deadline for deciding on the end of the season. “It is the duty of a good organizer or promoter to ensure that plans are in place. As for the end of the year, everything is in order and the decision must be made by mid-September.”, he explained to Sky Sports F1.
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The decision on Bahrain, however, could be accelerated by the deliberations expected this weekend of the FIA World Motor Sport Council on the fate of the events of the WEC in the Middle East. The conclusions of this body on the trials ofEndurance could logically pave the way for a similar decision in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Portimão remains in contention as a backup option for a possible end-of-season round should Qatar and Abu Dhabi also be cancelled, which would constitute a test run before the official return of the Portuguese Grand Prix to the calendar in 2027. While nothing is yet confirmed, the 2026 calendar could therefore continue to take shape during the season.