Bahrain is set to make motorsport history this October, as its crown jewel, the Formula One Grand Prix, heads overseas for the first time ever to take place at the legendary Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Bahrain GP Relocated Sepang
Set to be held between October 2 and 4, the 2026 edition will see the race headlining a uniquely international schedule, and has been approved to return to the World Championship despite being postponed this spring due to regional security issues.
The race, which was originally set to be the fourth round of the 2026 season back in April, had to be postponed earlier this year due to regional security concerns.
After extensive discussions between the Government of Bahrain and Malaysia, as well as the Formula One World Championship and the FIA, a mutually beneficial solution was found to host the race in Sepang.
This will mark the resumption of high-profile single-seater racing in Malaysia, which had previously held the event until 2017.
To maintain the operational integrity and signature identity of the event, Bahrain is deploying a delegation of over 500 track marshals and technical experts to manage operations alongside local Malaysian teams.
Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF) and FIA vice-president for the Middle East and North Africa region, emphasized that transferring the event abroad serves as a testament to the kingdom’s standing within global motorsport.
BMF officials and the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) team have partnered directly with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) to handle safety, logistical support, and race orchestration.
The collaborative framework ensures that while the venue shifts across the Asian continent, regulatory supervision remains strictly under the FIA while incorporating two decades of Bahraini race control expertise.
Organizers are actively prepping for potential tropical downpours typical of the Sepang facility, ensuring technical preparedness across all departments.
This historic installment highlights Bahrain’s adaptive strategy to retain its foundational role in Formula One, serving as an operational model for cross-border sporting partnerships under extraordinary circumstances. Bahrain Economy
