It had been in the air for days and the confirmation from FIA and FOM followed on Sunday: Formula 1 will return to Malaysia in early October. The Bahrain Grand Prix will then be held at the Sepang circuit, however strange that may sound.
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That Sepang will be the setting for this rescheduled race has everything to do with the cancellation of the Bahrain GP earlier this year. This was due to the security situation in the Middle East. Initially, the intention was to make up for the race this autumn. However, due to the renewed conflict between Iran and the United States, this proved unfeasible.
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A race in Malaysia (October 2-4) is the ideal solution. It fits both geographically and in terms of planning between the GPs of Azerbaijan (September 24-26) and Singapore (October 9-11). However, it officially remains the Bahrain Grand Prix. The organization and financing also remain in the hands of the organization in Bahrain.
The Sepang circuit was a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar from 1999 to 2017. Max Verstappen won the last edition of the Malaysian Grand Prix by staying ahead of Lewis Hamilton in 2017. After that season, the circuit disappeared from the calendar due to rising organizational costs.
With the return to Sepang, Formula 1 awaits a race on a circuit that is beloved by drivers and fans for its fast corners, long straights, and often changing weather conditions. For now, it is a one-off return and not a precursor to a definitive comeback in 2027 or later.
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