Wire flash
Formula 1 confirms Malaysia as replacement for Middle East GPs, Sepang return eyed for early October
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
Formula 1 has scheduled a new race in Malaysia as a short-notice replacement for the Grands Prix in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain, which were removed from the calendar in mid-March due to the tense security situation in the Middle East caused by the Iran war. The race is expected to take place at the Sepang International Circuit, with the first weekend of October considered a potential date, conveniently located between races in Baku and Singapore. Malaysia's Sports Minister confirmed the government received initial information about the possibility. The last Formula 1 race in Malaysia was in 2017, won by Max Verstappen. Additionally, the end-of-season races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain uncertain due to the ongoing conflict, with Portimão in Portugal considered as a potential European replacement. Formula 1 needs at least 22 races to fulfill TV rights and sponsor obligations.
Source report
Malaysia – A new track layout is coming to the Formula 1 calendar. Malaysia will step in as a short-notice replacement race for the Grands Prix in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain.
In mid-March, Formula 1 removed Saudi Arabia and Bahrain from the calendar. The reason remains the tense security situation in the Middle East due to the Iran war.
The first weekend of October, between the races in Baku and Singapore, is considered a potential date. Malaysia is logistically conveniently located near Singapore.
The last race in Malaysia took place in 2017, when Max Verstappen won the Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur. In a statement, Malaysia's Sports Minister said the government had "received initial information about the possibility of holding a Formula 1 race at the Sepang International Circuit as a replacement for the Bahrain Grand Prix."
Formula 1 Race in Malaysia
Formula 1 last raced in Malaysia in 2017. Photo: Srdjan Suki/dpa
The races at the end of the season are also uncertain due to the tense situation surrounding the Iran war. Whether races will take place in Qatar (November) and Abu Dhabi (December) remains completely unclear. A European city could step in as a replacement. Portimão, the coastal city on the Portuguese Algarve, is considered a candidate.
Formula 1 needs at least 22 races in its season calendar to fulfill its obligations through TV rights and sponsors. There is therefore significant pressure in the search for alternative racetracks.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
F1 Relocates Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia Amid Middle East Conflict