Sepang returns to F1 after nine years, racing under the Bahrain GP name
F1 heads to Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit this weekend (2-4 October), but the event on the timing sheets is officially the 'Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia'. The race that was meant to be held in Bahrain is instead taking place at a different venue entirely. It marks Sepang's first Formula 1 weekend since 2017, a gap of nine years.
Why Malaysia instead of Bahrain
According to Wikipedia, the Iran war broke out on 28 February 2026 following targeted airstrikes by the United States and Israel, putting Gulf hosts including Bahrain at risk. The race originally scheduled for 12 April at Bahrain International Circuit was called off as a result, and on 26 July Formula 1 and the FIA officially confirmed Sepang as the replacement venue. Under an agreement between the Bahraini and Malaysian governments, the event keeps the 'Bahrain Grand Prix' name, with Bahrain retaining all ticket-sale and hosting revenue.
Schedule and format
Per Formula1.com's official timetable, first and second practice run on Friday 2 October, third practice and qualifying on Saturday 3 October, and the race on Sunday 4 October. Lights out is at 15:00 local time in Kuala Lumpur (UTC+8), which is 16:00 KST. There is no sprint this weekend — it's a standard Grand Prix format — and unlike Bahrain's usual night race, this one runs in daylight. Wikipedia lists the race distance at 310.398km, run over 56 laps or a 120-minute time limit, whichever comes first.
The circuit itself
Sepang International Circuit hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017 and is the home track of Mercedes title sponsor PETRONAS. F1 president Stefano Domenicali is reported to have said the switch shows the sport's ability 'to adapt and find solutions.' It sits as round 16 of the season, sandwiched between the Azerbaijan GP (Baku) and the Singapore GP in a run of three consecutive race weekends.