Malaysia pushes for surprise F1 return as Bahrain doubts grow

Malaysia is reportedly positioning itself for a shock return to the Formula 1 calendar as growing uncertainty surrounding the sport's Middle Eastern races forces officials to examine contingency plans for the closing stages of the 2026 season.

With the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran continuing to cast a shadow over the region, Formula 1's hopes of reinstating the Bahrain Grand Prix are fading, while concerns are also mounting over whether the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi can proceed as scheduled.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were both removed from the calendar earlier this year because of the conflict. F1 has since been working on a plan to reinsert Bahrain into the vacant slot between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix on October 4, creating an additional triple-header.

However, as the geopolitical situation remains unresolved, the likelihood of Bahrain's return appears to be diminishing, prompting several circuits to express interest in stepping in.

Sepang throws its hat into the ring

Among the candidates is Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit, which last hosted Formula 1 in 2017 and is now being actively considered by the country's authorities as a possible replacement venue.

In a statement issued on Friday, Malaysia's youth and sports minister, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, confirmed that discussions are underway.

The government has received “initial information on the possibility of organising an F1 race at the Sepang International Circuit to replace the Bahrain Grand Prix,” the statement said.

The minister added:

"In this regard, discussions and research by KBS are currently underway.

“KBS remains committed to its mission to continue supporting the development of national sports, including motorsports. Any further developments will be announced once they are finalised.”

Formula 1 has yet to publicly respond to Malaysia's proposal, although the circuit is understood to be among the options that could be evaluated should Bahrain prove impossible to stage.

Decision point rapidly approaching

Time is becoming an increasingly important factor. F1 president Stefano Domenicali has already indicated that a decision on Bahrain's fate must be reached before the sport heads into its summer break following this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Developments outside Formula 1 could also accelerate the process. The FIA's World Motor Sport Council is expected to receive an update on the World Endurance Championship's planned Middle Eastern events, with those races widely expected to be cancelled because of the same regional instability.

• Read also: Domenicali sets deadline to restore cancelled race to F1 calendar

Should that happen, it would further reinforce the concerns already surrounding Formula 1's schedule.

Malaysia is not the only venue waiting in the wings. Portimão, Imola and Istanbul have also emerged as potential stand-ins should F1 require an alternative destination.

But Sepang's willingness to host a race, combined with its modern infrastructure and long history as a Formula 1 venue, has suddenly thrust the Malaysian Grand Prix back into the conversation.

Whether Formula 1 ultimately returns to Sepang will depend on events far beyond motorsport's control. But with the window for a decision rapidly closing and uncertainty in the Middle East showing little sign of easing, a circuit absent from the calendar for nearly a decade may soon find itself back in the spotlight.

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