Bahrain? Malaysia? F1’s calendar calls keep coming

When Formula 1 announced the postponement of the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia - originally due to take place back in April – it left the door open for the rescheduling of either event.

The war in Iran was the cause of the two being called off on their original dates, but there had been growing optimism that the Bahrain Grand Prix could be reinstated in a gap in the calendar. While Saudi Arabia has been ruled out before 2027 due to the need to construct the street circuit, Bahrain’s availability and relative flexibility made it a viable option to return this year.

The weekend between races in Azerbaijan and Singapore was identified as the only realistic slot, and an announcement was expected at the start of this month – until the ceasefire ended, and hostilities in the region increased once again.

That’s left F1 in another state of flux at a time when scrutiny is increasing due to the World Endurance Championship’s plan to replace races in Qatar and Bahrain with European-based rounds to end its season. But while the final two grands prix of the 2026 Formula 1 schedule are due to take place in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, that’s a decision that can still be made later in the year.

There is still time to consider alternatives, but also to monitor the situation with Iran to see if the races can go ahead as planned. Committing to Bahrain at the start of October, however, is looking increasingly difficult to do.

F1 has tried to create a bit more time to come to a final decision by suggesting air freight could be used for a replacement race rather than sea freight, but it is still reaching the point that a call on the calendar needs to be made.

With Bahrain looking unlikely, it is understood a visit to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is being actively considered. Such a venue makes logistical sense, as it is just a four-hour drive from the track to Singapore, the two circuits being a little under 200 miles apart. However, questions remain about how it will be funded to make financial sense, and what promotional involvement Bahrain could still have as the race that is effectively being replaced.

Malaysia last hosted a grand prix in 2017 (main image) after joining the calendar with the new Sepang circuit in 1999. It has been linked with a return on a number of occasions since dropping off the schedule nine years ago, although talks have rarely appeared to have reached an advanced stage.

RACER understands F1 has a list of venues and potential contingency options that it is constantly discussing and updating, and the indication is that Sepang is not the only track that could be used if a race is to slot in between Azerbaijan and Singapore.

Although no final decision has been taken on whether to commit to a race on that date or not, doing so would provide further leeway for the final two rounds of the season, should it not be possible to host them as currently planned.

Currently at 22 confirmed races, creating the run of three consecutive race weekends in September and October would boost that to a provisional 23 once again. Therefore, if changes were required in December and only one race was possible after Las Vegas – a situation that could be influenced by circuit availability, cost and weather considerations – then the 22-race total that teams have been planning for at this stage of the year would still hold. To go lower could have greater sporting implications at the end of the championship.

There remains no firm timeline for any announcement, but sources indicate a desire to finalize plans as soon as is realistically possible, and it’s not out of the question that clarity is provided before the summer break.