F1 considering Malaysia return in 2026 as Middle East uncertainty continues

Formula 1 is considering bringing back the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit for 2026, potentially slotting it between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and Singapore on October 11. The move comes after both the Bahrain Grand Prix (originally scheduled for April 12) and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were cancelled due to the Iran war, provisionally reducing the calendar to 22 races. A recent resumption of Middle East hostilities has cast fresh doubt on Bahrain's return, making Malaysia — last on the F1 calendar in 2017, when Max Verstappen won — an emerging alternative.