Malaysia's iconic Sepang circuit is set to host the rescheduled 'Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia' on October 4, stepping in after the original races were cancelled due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, ensuring a full and exciting Formula One calendar for fans.
Key Points
- Malaysia's Sepang circuit will host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix on October 4, officially named the 'Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia'.
- The original April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the Iran war and the volatile situation in the Middle East.
- The addition of Sepang brings the Formula One championship back to 23 races, with speculation continuing about the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds.
- Sepang last hosted Formula One in 2017 and is a MotoGP fixture, providing a familiar venue for the sport.
- Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, is expected to cover the majority of the costs associated with rescheduling the event.
Malaysia's Sepang circuit will host a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix in October, Formula One announced on Sunday.
The Liberty Media-owned sport said in a statement at the Hungarian Grand Prix that the October 4 race at the circuit near Kuala Lumpur's international airport would officially be designated the 'Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia'.
Sepang's Return to F1 Calendar
"This is fantastic news for our fans," said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali of the agreement between the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain as well as the governing FIA and Formula One. "They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula One calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue.
Sepang holds a special place in Formula One history. It will provide a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans at the circuit and watching around the world."
Middle East Cancellations and Future Outlook
The cancellations of April's race at Sakhir, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, were due to the Iran war and the situation in the Middle East. The addition of Sepang takes the championship back to 23 races, although there is continuing speculation about whether the last two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will happen.
Italy's Imola, a home circuit for Ferrari, is being considered as a replacement finale should those Middle Eastern races also not happen, according to informed sources at the Hungaroring.
Logistics and Precedents
The rescheduled Bahrain race, at a circuit that last hosted Formula One in 2017 but is a MotoGP fixture, will slot in between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and Singapore on October 11.
There are several precedents to one country holding a race with the name of another: Germany's Nuerburgring hosted a Luxembourg Grand Prix, the San Marino Grand Prix was held for many years at Imola and the Swiss Grand Prix was held in France.
Bahrain's Investment and Geopolitical Context
Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat owns Formula One champions McLaren and the grand prix is the kingdom's biggest annual sporting event, serving to promote Bahrain internationally. The country, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, has come under attack from Iranian missiles and drones.
It usually pays tens of millions of dollars in hosting fees to Formula One and sources indicated Bahrain would be covering the bulk of the costs involved in the rescheduling. The event remains subject to final agreements and approval of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.
