Formula 1 personnel have arrived at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for this weekend’s Grand Prix. Unusually, the event is officially named the ‘Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia’, a title reflecting its relocation from nearly 6,000 kilometres away.
The move was necessitated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began in February, led to the postponement of the original Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April.
Initial plans to reschedule the Bahrain race for this October weekend were abandoned after a brief ceasefire ended and regional tensions escalated. This rendered racing in the Gulf region unsafe, prompting Formula 1 to seek an alternative venue.
Sepang was selected as the replacement, slotting logistically between last week’s race in Azerbaijan and next week’s event in Singapore. The deal was reached between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of both Bahrain and Malaysia.
Under the agreement, Bahraini organisers retain the naming rights and are helping to fund the event, which allows the race to remain on the 23-race calendar. This arrangement avoids financial penalties for F1 linked to dropping below a minimum number of races.
The Sepang circuit, a popular venue among drivers, returns to the calendar for the first time since 2017. It hosted 19 Grands Prix from 1999 and is known for its flowing layout and challenging, humid conditions.
Several drivers have expressed positive anticipation for the return. Fernando Alonso, a three-time winner at the track, called the opportunity a ‘golden ticket’. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli noted the track looks ‘pretty cool’ on the simulator.
The 2026 cars, featuring active aerodynamics, will race at Sepang for the first time. The FIA has confirmed four ‘Straight Mode’ zones for the circuit to reduce drag on the straights. This is a new technical challenge for the teams at this venue.
The weekend is also expected to be physically demanding. The FIA has officially declared a ‘Heat Hazard’ due to a forecasted heat index above 31°C. This activates regulations requiring teams to fit driver cooling systems.
This measure was introduced in 2025 following instances of heat exhaustion at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. The car’s minimum weight will be increased to accommodate the mandatory cooling hardware.
