Formula 1 schedules Malaysia as replacement for Middle East GPs, provisional date early October

Published Jul 25, 01:56 PM UTC

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 potential date is the first weekend of October, between races in Baku and Singapore, with Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit being logistically convenient near Singapore. The last Formula 1 race in Malaysia was in 2017, won by Max Verstappen. Malaysia's Sports Minister confirmed the government received initial information about the possibility. Additionally, races in Qatar (November) and Abu Dhabi (December) remain uncertain, with Portimão in Portugal considered as a potential European replacement. Formula 1 needs at least 22 races in its season to fulfill TV rights and sponsor obligations, creating pressure to find alternative tracks.

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