Formula 1 chiefs consider Malaysian Grand Prix return for 2026 calendar
Formula 1 is negotiating a surprise return to the Malaysian Grand Prix this October to replace cancelled races in the Middle East.
Executives are currently in discussions with organisers at the Sepang International Circuit to stage a late stand-in event.
The championship originally intended to reschedule the postponed Bahrain round for early October.
However, escalating conflict in the region has forced the sport’s bosses to rethink their scheduling plans.
Filling the October gap
The Malaysian venue has emerged as the primary candidate for an October 4 slot.
This date would conveniently bridge the two-week gap between the Azerbaijan race on September 26 and the Singapore event on October 11.
Sepang previously hosted motorsport’s premier class until 2017.
The circuit earned a fierce reputation as one of the most physically demanding challenges on the calendar due to intense heat and humidity.
Widespread calendar disruption
The 2026 season has already lost the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain rounds due to ongoing regional tensions.
There are also growing concerns regarding the viability of the season-ending fixtures in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Alternative European tracks such as Portugal’s Portimao and Istanbul Park in Turkey are being monitored.
These venues remain unlikely late-season fallback options due to the cold winter climate in November and December.
Drivers eager for track time
George Russell currently sits third in the drivers’ standings, trailing championship-leading team-mate Kimi Antonelli by 50 points.
The British driver remains determined to maximise his opportunities despite the ongoing disruptions.
“I’d love to have a 24-race season and get as many races as possible between here and the end of the season,” Russell explained ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“That doesn’t change whether I was in the lead or second or third or fourth in the standings.”
“I want to go racing, I love racing, I love the fight, and I hope, if we don’t race in the Middle East, there’s two replacements.”
“I hope we can find maybe a race between Baku and Singapore. I’d be happy to go racing every weekend if I could.”