KUCHING: Malaysia is poised to make a surprise return to the Formula One calendar after nine years, with BBC Sport reporting that Sepang International Circuit is expected to host a replacement Bahrain Grand Prix in October.
According to the British broadcaster, the race is scheduled to take place from Oct 2 to 4, one week before the Singapore Grand Prix, after Bahrain’s original event was called off because of the conflict in the Middle East.
The race is expected to be staged on behalf of Bahrain, with an official announcement anticipated later on Sunday (July 26).
The report comes a day after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that an announcement on Malaysia’s potential return as a Formula One host would be made today.
“The F1 matter will be announced on Sunday,” Anwar told reporters after officiating the opening of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin and launching the Nuqaba programme in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, on Saturday (July 25).
BBC Sport reported that the arrangement had been made by Formula One but still requires formal approval from the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had their April races postponed in March following the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Formula One had hoped to reschedule the Bahrain race later in the season, but with logistical deadlines approaching and no indication the conflict would ease, organisers opted to seek an alternative venue.
On Friday, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the ministry was actively discussing and assessing the possibility of Malaysia hosting the race.
Motorsport publication The Race had earlier reported that Sepang had emerged as the leading replacement venue should Bahrain remain unable to stage the event.
If confirmed, the race would mark Formula One’s return to Sepang for the first time since 2017. The circuit hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 until it was dropped from the calendar because of rising hosting costs and licensing fees.
The revised schedule would also see Formula One stage races on three consecutive weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore.
