Bahrain Desperate to Keep F1: Historic Move to Spend Tens of Millions to Race in Malaysia

Sepang returns to Formula 1. Almost a decade after its farewell, one of the world’s most legendary circuits re-enters the calendar, and it will do so this very season. But the most dramatic twist is the arrangement: although they race in Malaysia, they will be called the Bahrain Grand Prix, because it is the sheiks who foot the bill.

Formula 1 is in a precarious situation. The resumption of the conflict in Iran makes it nearly impossible to run the last two races of the calendar, those in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. In fact, even the start of 2027 is in serious jeopardy. Now Liberty Media is scrambling to find circuits where Formula 1 can race.

Formula 1 Seeks Substitutes for Qatar and Abu Dhabi

A whole generation of Formula 1 fans grew up with the Sepang circuit as a fixture on the calendar, but the Malaysian Grand Prix vanished abruptly in 2017. Now there is good news: Sepang returns to Formula 1. Although it will do so under the name Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Bahrain event was canceled at the start of the season due to the conflict in the Middle East, and there was no option to resume it given the Iran situation. So the Bahraini rulers have made a decision: they will fund the staging of the Bahrain Grand Prix at a different circuit away from the spotlight. The chosen venue has been Sepang.

So the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang will be held from October 2 to 4, but Formula 1’s troubles don’t end there. Saudi Arabia, canceled earlier in the year, does not look likely to be recovered. Yet the remaining Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the two final rounds of Formula 1, remain pending, and their dispute seems impossible to resolve.

Other championships have already found alternatives. The WEC will race at Montmeló and Monza, but Formula 1 is still squeezing the timeline. They will wait until after the summer to cancel the Middle East rounds, and just in case they are already looking for European options to be able to close the calendar at the minimum number of races agreed with the broadcasters.

Imola and Portimão are emerging as strong favorites to close out the Formula 1 season, though the Turkey option also can’t be ruled out. In any case, the problem extends beyond 2026. It was planned that the 2027 Formula 1 World Championship would begin in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but other championships are already canceling their dates for next year as well.

For now, Formula 1 will not announce its new calendar until autumn. And leaving the Middle East not only means missing four races, but also bidding farewell to too many millions of dollars.

Images | Formula 1