The Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled in April due to the US‑Israel conflict involving Iran, and will now take place in Malaysia.
Published On 26 Jul 2026
Formula One announced that Malaysia’s Sepang circuit will host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix in October.
According to a statement released on Sunday, the October 4 race at the Sepang circuit—situated near Kuala Lumpur’s international airport—will be officially named the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula One’s Chief Executive, hailed the news as fantastic for fans during his remarks at the Hungarian Grand Prix, noting that a pact had been signed between the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain, alongside the FIA and Formula One.
Fans will continue to enjoy a complete and exciting Formula One calendar, with the sport returning to a premier venue.
Sepang has a storied place in Formula One history and will deliver a spectacular racing environment, offering an unforgettable experience for both on‑site spectators and global viewers.
The cancellations of the April Sakhir race and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah resulted from the United States‑Israel conflict with Iran and its regional spillover.
The inclusion of Sepang restores the calendar to 23 events, though speculation persists regarding the possible occurrence of the season‑ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Sources at the Hungaroring indicate that Italy’s Imola circuit, a traditional Ferrari venue, is being evaluated as a potential season‑ending venue should the Middle Eastern races also be cancelled.
The rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, held at a circuit that last hosted Formula One in 2017 and now hosts MotoGP events, will be positioned between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.
Numerous precedents exist where a nation has hosted a race bearing another country’s name, such as Germany’s Nurburgring staging the Luxembourg Grand Prix, the San Marino Grand Prix being held at Imola for many years, and the Swiss Grand Prix taking place in France.
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, is the owner of Formula One champion McLaren, and the Grand Prix remains the nation’s premier annual sporting event, enhancing its international profile.
The nation, which houses the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has faced attacks from Iranian missiles and drones.
The event awaits final agreements and approval from the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.