October 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest months in Malaysian motorsport history. For the first time in nine years, Formula 1 will return to Sepang International Circuit, joining the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia to create an unprecedented month of world-class racing at the same venue.
The return of Formula 1 follows the recent announcement that the Bahrain Grand Prix has been relocated to Malaysia due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have left Bahrain unable to host the event as originally planned.
Scheduled for 4 October 2026, the race will officially be known as the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. It will take place between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grand Prix, keeping the event on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Source: MotoGP
The arrangement was made possible through a joint agreement between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
"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," Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said when announcing the calendar update during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
The Malaysian MotoGP has continued to grow in popularity in recent years. Last year's edition attracted a record crowd of 190,977 spectators, the highest attendance in the event's history, further cementing Sepang's reputation as one of the premier stops on the MotoGP calendar.
Malaysia last hosted Formula 1 in 2017 before the race was dropped from the calendar after a 19-year run. Throughout its time on the schedule, Sepang earned a reputation as one of the sport's most iconic modern circuits, admired for its fast-flowing layout, technical corners, long straights and unpredictable tropical weather which regularly produced dramatic races.
The return is expected to deliver a significant economic boost, with thousands of local and international fans travelling to Malaysia. Hotels, restaurants, retailers and tourism-related businesses are all expected to benefit from the influx of visitors throughout the race weekend.
Source: Sepang International Circuit
The excitement will continue later in the month when the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia returns to Sepang from 30 October to 1 November. As one of MotoGP's most popular destinations, the event will once again welcome the world's fastest riders as they battle for championship points on one of the calendar's most demanding circuits.
For motorsport fans, October promises to be unlike anything Malaysia has hosted before. With Formula 1 opening the month and MotoGP bringing it to a thrilling conclusion, Sepang will become the centre of the racing world, offering fans the rare opportunity to witness the pinnacle of both four-wheel and two-wheel motorsport within the same month.
Whether Formula 1's return proves to be a one-off appearance or the beginning of a longer comeback, October 2026 will undoubtedly mark a significant chapter in Malaysia's motorsport history. It is set to become the country's biggest motorsport festival to date, celebrating two of the world's most prestigious racing championships on Malaysian soil.
