Formula 1 officials are exploring the possibility of reinstating a race in Malaysia this season due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, initially scheduled for April, were postponed amid rising regional tensions. While neither event was officially canceled at the time, their absence from the calendar has compelled the sport to seek alternatives.
Bahrain was originally expected to host a race during a currently vacant slot between the Baku and Singapore Grands Prix in early October. However, renewed hostilities after a failed ceasefire between the United States and Iran have made this unlikely. With F1’s leadership intent on filling this gap, Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit has emerged as the leading candidate for a return. The venue has not hosted a Formula 1 race since 2017 but offers logistical convenience due to its proximity to Singapore, potentially minimizing disruption to the teams and organizers.
While Malaysia is the preferred option, other locations remain under consideration pending ongoing discussions among stakeholders. The country’s absence from recent calendars has been attributed to the inability of its organizers to match rising hosting fees elsewhere, and a permanent return is considered unlikely. Holding races in both Malaysia and Singapore would be commercially redundant given the intense competition among nations seeking to stage F1 events. The Sepang circuit remains active in MotoGP, however.
A final decision on the October race is expected imminently, possibly within the coming week. The status of the remaining Middle East rounds, specifically the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix scheduled to conclude the season, remains uncertain should regional tensions persist. No determinations regarding these races have been made yet.
As a contingency, Formula 1 is also considering a European event at Portugal’s Portimão circuit following the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 22. Portimão, which last hosted a race in 2021, is preparing for confirmed returns in 2027 and 2028 and could be ready to rejoin the calendar this year if necessary. Other venues have offered to host substitute races if cancellations occur, but decisions on these possibilities will come closer to the season’s end.
If races in Malaysia and Portugal proceed, the 2026 season could feature 22 events out of a possible 24, with the total rising to 23 should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events ultimately go ahead. The World Endurance Championship, which postponed its Qatar race earlier in the year and is also expected to cancel its Bahrain round, is preparing to make official announcements. Its decisions are likely to influence Formula 1’s final calendar adjustments.