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F1 Mulls Malaysian Grand Prix Return to Fill October Slot

7/24/2026

43 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Formula 1 is weighing a return of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled, leaving the October 2–4 slot between Azerbaijan (Sept 26) and Singapore (Oct 11) unlikely.
Sepang, an hour’s flight from Singapore, is the leading candidate and could keep the calendar at 22 races or raise it to 23.
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said a Bahrain decision must be taken before the summer break.

History

Historical Context

Liberty Media’s 2020 plan for a record 22-race calendar collapsed when COVID-19 forced the FIA and then-president Jean-Todt to redesign the season to 17 events, dropping the planned Saudi Arabian GP and moving Bahrain to November. The reshuffle introduced new venues such as the Styrian and 70th Anniversary Grands Prix, a model now cited as precedent for reviving Sepang in 2024.

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Story summary

Formula 1 is weighing a return of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled, leaving the October 2–4 slot between Azerbaijan (Sept 26) and Singapore (Oct 11) unlikely.
Sepang, an hour’s flight from Singapore, is the leading candidate and could keep the calendar at 22 races or raise it to 23.
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said a Bahrain decision must be taken before the summer break.

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