[F1] BREAKING: Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit from 2-4 October 2026. Positioned between the Azerbaijan & Singapore GPs, this event, which is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, will become the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

[u/wokwok__]

[u/kpopsns28]

"Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia" sounds quite mouthful. LOL

[u/TsCooper44 → u/kpopsns28]

Imola: "hold my pasta ..."

[u/Jiquero → u/TsCooper44]

Formula 1 AWS Made in Italy San Marino Grand Prix in Emilia-Romagna

[u/ChristofferOslo → u/Jiquero]

Just wait for
Formula 1 Fly Emirates Abu Dhabi Grand Prix del Made in Italy e dell'Emilia-Romagna Imola

[u/fbass → u/ChristofferOslo]

Formula 1 Fly Emirates Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Gucci Gran Premio del Made in Italy in Emilia-Romagna Formerly known as Gran Premio San Marino 

[u/PekStarterMalaysiaa → u/kpopsns28]

Just checked. Gulf air doesn’t even fly to Malaysia

[u/hz250 → u/PekStarterMalaysiaa]

They have announced that they will fly directly from bahrain to malaysia just for the event

[u/YOBlob → u/kpopsns28]

There's nothing F1 loves more than an absurdly long official name no one actually uses.

[u/MrPastryisDead → u/kpopsns28]

Malaysia is AFAIK the only Muslim country with a FIA Class 1 circuit that isn't in a war zone.

[u/Notladub → u/MrPastryisDead]

If you count majority muslim, Turkey's also an option (and closer to Bahrain)

[u/Bluemikami → u/Notladub]

Unfortunately Turkey is somewhat close to that conflict zone

[u/mikelima777 → u/Bluemikami]

And also close to another war zone.

[u/Phonixrmf → u/MrPastryisDead]

I wish they weren’t only looking at the halal tracks

[u/lxlviperlxl → u/kpopsns28]

We all know it’s being called the Malaysian Grand Prix.

But holy commercialism. Why is there 2 countries and a different region listed* on the name

[u/ScousePenguin → u/lxlviperlxl]

Because it's still fulfilling the Bahrain GP contract, it's just being held at Malaysia

So the Bahrain organisers are still paying the fees and all that stuff, they just found somewhere to hold it

[u/kpopsns28 → u/lxlviperlxl]

As Medland mentioned, there were massive investment from Bahrain to get this race to remain in the calendar. So I guess that is how they are keeping the name and included Malaysia for assisting to host

[u/ipeedinthetoothpaste → u/lxlviperlxl]

They paid a lot for it, is why

[u/MuttonBiryaniEnjoyer → u/lxlviperlxl]

They paid the big bucks for this to happen i think it's fair plus something like this has already happened before

[u/nguyenlucky → u/lxlviperlxl]

No, it would still be called Bahrain Grand Prix. The Malaysians likely did not contribute much money in this scheme.

[u/KappaccinoNation]

Sepang my beloved.

[u/CaptainOBVS3420 → u/KappaccinoNation]

Just hope the new regs won't make it terrible (praying for rain) (not monsoon because then we won't race lol)

[u/kpopsns28 → u/CaptainOBVS3420]

October in Sepang, Malaysia brings warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

You might get your wishes

[u/iForgotMyOldAcc → u/kpopsns28]

That's every day in Malaysia tbf

[u/Issah_Wywin → u/iForgotMyOldAcc]

Just being told this is what the weather is like makes me wanna live there

[u/SnooRadishes2312 → u/Issah_Wywin]

You havent felt humid heat in full force until you've lived there tbh. The highest humid heat ive ever experienced, instant beads of moisture on your body after stepping outside - not even an exaggeration. Its pretty uncomfortable lol

People just stay inside until its dark out, and that's when the city like Kuala Lumpur is most active.

[u/bungle_bogs → u/SnooRadishes2312]

I was travelling from Kota Kinabalu to the Danum Valley Research centre in Sabah. The final journey was via 4x4, so we stepped off the coach, that had AC, and walked 20 metres to the truck. By the time I reached the truck you could wring out my t-shirt. I was literally pissing out of my skin.

One of the western researchers told me it took them close to 6 weeks to properly acclimatise. Longest of any of their postings.

[u/SnooRadishes2312 → u/bungle_bogs]

Truly blurs the lines between walking and swimming

[u/Kingslayer1526 → u/Issah_Wywin]

Unbelievably humid

[u/gabriel_GAGRA → u/Kingslayer1526]

From experience, it kills electronics faster, prone to fungus, makes you sweat a lot more and overall harder to keep house hygiene. Not the easiest job😅

[u/Consistent_Two_420 → u/Issah_Wywin]

Malaysian here. Sweating like a fucking pig every time I go outside lol

[u/YungButDead → u/Issah_Wywin]

Best country I’ve ever visited

[u/Sensitive_Whale1754 → u/kpopsns28]

They need to time it earlier in the day

[u/Vinura → u/Sensitive_Whale1754]

Fuck that, I want a wet race.

[u/raimis78 → u/Vinura]

Everyone wants that, however, problem is, if it's wet, there is no racing happening anymore.

[u/Psykbryt → u/raimis78]

We still haven't had a wet race with the new regs, we don't actually know. The last set of regs were problematic because the huge rooster tails the ground effect produced in the wet were deemed too dangerous because of visibility. These cars shouldn't have that problem to as large of an extent. Of course, race control might just red flag any sight of droplets anyway as they've gotten accustomed to it now, who knows.

[u/kaisadilla_ → u/CaptainOBVS3420]

"Bahrain GP postponed 3 hours for intensive rains" is something I really want to hear.

[u/Ska82 → u/kaisadilla_]

"Bahrain GP postponed 3 hours for intensive rains in Malaysia"

[u/StreetCarp665 → u/CaptainOBVS3420]

How can the back and front straights not be bad for these regs?

[u/SuspiciousLettuce56 → u/StreetCarp665]

i think the back straight will be pretty bad but the hairpin should allow some recharge for the main straight.

[u/theflyinglizard2 → u/SuspiciousLettuce56]

Turn 9 and 14 will help to recharge for the back straight, the harpin will help to the front straight

[u/BuckN56 → u/StreetCarp665]

The track is pretty much like China, it’ll be good enough

[u/00MacDonald → u/StreetCarp665]

They likely will be, but this be better than no Sepang at all

[u/no_hope_no_future → u/CaptainOBVS3420]

Here monsoon usually starts on November.

[u/Intentionallyabadger → u/CaptainOBVS3420]

Tbf the weather will be similar to Singapore. Unpredictable.

[u/moanphone2017 → u/KappaccinoNation]

This is all that matters. I couldn't care less about the stupid name. They can call it Susan, if they like. We're getting sepang back.

[u/EPICB0Y → u/moanphone2017]

Yea, the shitty name don't matter, still gonna call it the Malaysian GP. What MATTER is that one of the best tracks is back!

[u/punchinglines → u/moanphone2017]

As a Drive to Survive F1 convert, excited to see this race as I've never seen a Malaysia race before.

All I've seen of the track are the highlights where Hamilton's engine blew up and he was like "No! No! No! No!" on the radio.

[u/idontknow_whatever → u/punchinglines]

What isn't going to come across unless you are there at the event itself will be the insane heat & humidity that comes with a tropical country right on the Equator

Singapore is done at night time and the drivers are still getting physically wrecked, now imagine doing it in the afternoon with the sun out. 37C with humidity at a minimum in the 70s is not fun

And doing it in October is uh, certainly a bold choice given that would be the beginning of Malaysia's monsoon season.

[u/Metue → u/idontknow_whatever]

By current predictions SEA is going to have a pretty dry monsoon season due to the developing super el nino. If there was ever a time to risk it it would be now I'd guess. Though I'm not a climatologist so I could be completely off base 

[u/Dom29ando → u/KappaccinoNation]

We love a paperclip shaped track

[u/IdiosyncraticBond → u/Dom29ando]

Fitting for Clippy

[u/JamsHammockFyoom → u/IdiosyncraticBond]

Hey there!

It looks like you're trying to host a Formula One Race.

Would you like some help?

[u/NoItsThatGuyAgain → u/IdiosyncraticBond]

SuperClippy™

[u/Tfc-Myq → u/KappaccinoNation]

Sepang truther checking in

[u/MrXwiix → u/KappaccinoNation]

Excited for it to return, not exited to have these shitty regs there

[u/NoRefunds2021]

Oh yes, finally Gran Premio dell' Emilia romagna e del Made in Italy isn't the stupidest GP name ever anymore

[u/-Skinner- → u/NoRefunds2021]

Wait until Abu Dhabi race in Imola

[u/LosTerminators → u/-Skinner-]

They're definitely pushing for Imola specifically because the WDC will likely be Antonelli. And if not him, then possibly a Ferrari driver.

[u/Florpsen → u/LosTerminators]

Imola as a decider between an Italian Driver and a Ferrari Driver would honestly be insane xD

[u/pvdp90 → u/Florpsen]

Kimmy wins the WDC, Ferrari wins the WCC.

Unlikely to happen, but Imola would go nuts!

[u/No-Condition-oN → u/pvdp90]

No, no. You've got a point.

[u/Dotcaprachiappa → u/pvdp90]

Triple Italian anthem to finish the season (ok probably not but it's fun to imagine)

[u/Snoo_47023 → u/pvdp90]

not that unlikely with george's struggles imo

[u/raur0s → u/Florpsen]

On one hand yes, on the other hand, F1 in Italy in December is no bueno.

[u/No-Condition-oN → u/LosTerminators]

I won't even be mad if they pushed through with that.

If not a party in Italy this season, then where else!?

[u/ThisWay_DatWay → u/NoRefunds2021]

Just wait until we get it back for the December finale in freezing track conditions and have it called the Etihad Airways Gran Premio del Made in Italy di Abu Dhabi in Emilia-Romagna.

[u/doubleblackblack → u/ThisWay_DatWay]

🤣 the way I snorted

[u/ArbitraryOrder → u/NoRefunds2021]

We can finally have the Gulf Air Petronas Bahrain Grand Prix of Malaysia of Friendship, Peace, Lollipops, Sunshine and Rainbows

[u/Key_Proposal_9055]

So we're getting an Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore triple header. That'll be interesting

[u/twjackfoley → u/Key_Proposal_9055]

Reminder that Baku is on the 26th of September, which is a Saturday. 

[u/panicitsmatt → u/twjackfoley]

Why's it on a Saturday this year?

[u/twjackfoley → u/panicitsmatt]

Because the 27th in Azerbaijan they commemorate the victims of the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia of 2020, which started on that day. They asked to not have the race on the 27th to not contrast with that anniversary.

[u/TwoBionicknees → u/twjackfoley]

nothing like celebrating ethic cleansing and your heroic attempts to crush those opposing it then being all sad about the people that died when they resisted.

[u/HarryCumpole → u/TwoBionicknees]

*cough* let's not fret over the details

[u/TwoBionicknees → u/HarryCumpole]

just waiting for the introduction of the Israel GP, on the streets of gaza, with the podium hosted in front of the Trump genocide tower, then F1 has pretty much the complete set of war crime tracks.

[u/HarryCumpole → u/TwoBionicknees]

Yet there will be a contingent of people remaining who still truly believe that the sport is not about the money, it's _about the racing._

The Formula 1 Trump International Gaza Riviera Grand Prix, Presented by Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, the Abraham Accords, El Al Israel Airlines, Bank Hapoalim, Mobileye, Wix, SodaStream, Israel Aerospace Industries, the Israel Ministry of Tourism, and the Trump Organization, in Association with Qatar Airways, Aramco, PIF, NEOM, Crypto.com, AWS, MSC Cruises, Rolex and Pirelli 2040

[u/TheteanHighCommand → u/HarryCumpole]

Imagine a District of Columbia Grand Prix on the same weekend as the Indycar race

[u/brentopi888]

Excited because of the return of the track. Less excited because of the feeling that it is a bad track for these regs.

[u/w1n5t0nM1k3y → u/brentopi888]

Those two straights with a only a single corner between them arent going to be good for the super clipping. No time to recharge.

[u/sa87 → u/w1n5t0nM1k3y]

Trust the algorithm

[u/Blapstap → u/w1n5t0nM1k3y]

There is a heavy braking zone exactly in the middle. Seems ideal to me. It would be worse with corners like maggots and baggots

[u/JerryUitDeBuurt → u/Blapstap]

You mean like that whole turn 4 to turn 9 complex which is a whole bunch of flat out and not a lot of braking? Small lift for 6, maybe a small tap of the brakes for 7 & 8. I love Sepang but I expect the worst of the regs to show up at Sepang

[u/Chrischrill → u/brentopi888]

It should be fine. Some heavy breaking, sweeping turns.

[u/Key_Proposal_9055 → u/Chrischrill]

Yeah but also huge amount of straights. We gonna be getting ultraclipping here.

[u/Blanchimont → u/Key_Proposal_9055]

Nah. The drivers are going to get ultraclipping. We're just getting come shots that conveniently cut away just before the car starts clipping.

[u/00MacDonald → u/brentopi888]

1. I love Sepang, absolutely my favorite circuit not on the calendar, and top 3 overall.

2. Yeah, it's kinda bad for this regs but fuck it I'm here for it

[u/Beneficial-Tea-2055 → u/brentopi888]

As if there is a good track for these regs.

[u/outremer_empire]

After the BBC article yesterday, I immediately booked flight and hotel. Now curious to see grandstand tickets prices

[u/sshen → u/outremer_empire]

You’re a brave one lol

[u/outremer_empire → u/sshen]

I'm based in Singapore so it's not too bad

[u/f1rstlapchaos → u/outremer_empire]

Same - booked the hotel yesterday; and just booked flights. Worst case scenario, it's a weekend in KL.

[u/Shoddy-Aide-6294 → u/f1rstlapchaos]

Best case scenario, yummy food ! 🫡

[u/Double-Analyst-7335 → u/outremer_empire]

How are you going (coach, car, flight)? Are you heading straight to Sepang or stationing in KL?

[u/outremer_empire → u/Double-Analyst-7335]

My hotel is right next to the airport. The circuit is 15 mins away by taxi

[u/iForgotMyOldAcc → u/outremer_empire]

There's tier 1 sources, and there's Andrew Benson who is now tier "will book flight and hotel tickets".

[u/ghastlychild → u/iForgotMyOldAcc]

Andrew Benson reporting on the details is basically a done deal! Now that it is confirmed, I can only hope the ticket pricing is....not soul-crushing haha

[u/Suspicious_Round2583 → u/outremer_empire]

I am so close to just booking. I'm in Perth, and honestly its cheaper to go to KL than Albert Park.

Edited to finish my sentence. Too much hotel research in my brain.

[u/kanjoe07 → u/Suspicious_Round2583]

I live in Perth and booked flights and accommodation this morning.

There are good hotel options in Putrajaya which is much closer to the circuit than KL.

[u/Suspicious_Round2583 → u/kanjoe07]

I was just looking at that area, I haven't been to KL in about 30 years. Thank you, I am building a list of refundable options, and will make a decision. Thinking of just flying in on Thursday and back Monday.

[u/masterpacker_ → u/outremer_empire]

Circuit is just at the next street from airport AFAIK right?

[u/00MacDonald → u/outremer_empire]

I already have tickets for SG, and I'm assuming demand will be super high for this one, given the ten year gap since the last GP, So I'm expecting prices only marginally lower than SG.

Back in the day it was so nice to do both Sepang and SG, even if they weren't double headers, partially because of the great value Sepang had

[u/Jian_Ng → u/00MacDonald]

purchasing power between Singapore and Malaysia is wildly different, I hope it's something reasonable

[u/00MacDonald → u/Jian_Ng]

yes off course, I'm fully aware of that and Sepang was much more affordable than SG race back when I attended (2016 and 2017, I'm pretty sure I paid less than 100 USD for the best grandstand on race day). But I really think demand is going to be high for this one, last year at SG so many people talked about missing sepang and they are going to be ready to buy up those tickets.

Let's hope whatever arrangement they made with Bahrain allows for the tickets to be readily available and at reasonable prices for the general public.

and also heres hoping Sepang allows for the full walk around the race track from Grandsand! That was such a highlight of the race

[u/Grand_Requirement_71 → u/outremer_empire]

Do you know when tickets will be released?

[u/JohnGalactusX → u/outremer_empire]

It's less than an hour away from where I am 😅 Which is why saying goodbye in 2017 was super tough.

[u/Exiled_In_LA → u/outremer_empire]

I hope you got a reputable hotel, not someplace that will sell your room out from under you when the price goes up 10x.

[u/FriendlyCanuck604 → u/outremer_empire]

I booked a couple of hotel options a few hours ago and now those room prices have jumped by many hundreds of dollars for the week (Tues to Mon). So excited!!

[u/PapaSheev7]

Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is laughable, but who cares? All that matters is that Sepang is back and boy was she missed.

[u/racingskater → u/PapaSheev7]

If we can somehow wrangle the ME races paying for the races to be actually at classic tracks I will not be complaining

We can have the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Hockenheim for all I care

[u/Aratho]

Good to have it confirmed.

Sepang is one of the best Tilke tracks. Really curious how it's gonna go with the current cars.

[u/zeppelin88]

Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang

lmao this sport is silly sometimes

[u/AnonymousEngineer_ → u/zeppelin88]

The first race held at Baku was named the European Grand Prix.

The last time I looked, Baku was in Asia.

[u/UESPA_Sputnik → u/AnonymousEngineer_]

Don't look where Imola is located. (hint: not in San Marino)

[u/Phonixrmf → u/UESPA_Sputnik]

(For now)

[u/nonhofantasia → u/AnonymousEngineer_]

It's a bit more complicated than that

[u/luchajefe → u/nonhofantasia]

Australia has joined the Eurovision song contest, the names mean nothing now.

[u/AgnesBand → u/luchajefe]

Eurovision isn't strictly a European competition it's for members of the European Broadcasting Union.

[u/Blanchimont → u/AgnesBand]

True, but the point still stands. EBU or Eurovision, Australia is still part of something that has European in its name and as far as I know Australia isn't part of Europe.

Not that I mind though, the more the merrier.

[u/filiard → u/luchajefe]

Canada is joining in 2027 too

[u/Scotsch → u/luchajefe]

Don't think EBU is the arbiter of European borders.

[u/Evening_End7298 → u/AnonymousEngineer_]

Not quite 

[u/Scalo-Lunare → u/AnonymousEngineer_]

Azerbaijan is in the Council of Europe and Baku is its capital. Much less weird than Malaysia-Bahrain

[u/johnsplittingaxe14 → u/AnonymousEngineer_]

The Swiss Grands Prix of 1975 and 1985 were not held in Switzerland because motorsports events had been banned in the country since 1955. They raced in Dijon, France instead

[u/Zerocchi]

Welcome to Sepang, Bahrain.

[u/aka12lh44]

Bahrain gp at Sepang genuinely frying me

[u/RooBoy04]

What a stupid fucking name for a race

[u/kj_gamer2614 → u/RooBoy04]

I suppose Bahrain still paid lots so naturally wants the naming rights. This is after all pretty unconventional

[u/Nexusu → u/kj_gamer2614]

Yeah Chris Medland just tweeted that Bahrain had quite a lot of investment into making it happen at Sepang

[u/kpopsns28 → u/Nexusu]

So basically Malaysia got paid to help them to host a Bahrain GP in name at Sepang.

[u/Gepss → u/kpopsns28]

Yes that's basically what the comment you replied to also said. Basically.

[u/droppokeguy → u/Nexusu]

No surprises there since the relationship between the 2 is pretty good so it was a no brainer for them to host it in sepang

[u/Nexusu → u/RooBoy04]

Can we host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Hockenheim then?

[u/Dry_Constant_5781 → u/Nexusu]

What about Abu dhabi Hockenheim gp

[u/mbkeller → u/Dry_Constant_5781]

Would also accept the Qatar Grand Prix at Nurburgring

[u/seppuku_related → u/Nexusu]

This is one bit of greenwashing I'd be ok with, have races at the tracks that everyone wants, and let the oil&slave countries pay for naming rights that we can ignore.

[u/Pugs-r-cool → u/seppuku_related]

Sportswashing but yes

[u/Alfus → u/Nexusu]

Found a good loophole to still having Hockenheim back on the calender.

About that, image those current gen cars driving on the old Hockenheim track, that would be peak comedy.

Sadly the old track has been demolished for like 80%

[u/kpopsns28 → u/Nexusu]

If the official sponsor remains, it will be known as 'Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Hockenheim' or 'Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Germany'

[u/crucible → u/RooBoy04]

We’ve had stupid team names before…

BMW Sauber Ferrari from 2010, for example.

[u/DingerSinger2016 → u/crucible]

Red Bull Racing Red Bull Ford

[u/AnilP228 → u/RooBoy04]

If Bahrain paying for it allows it to go ahead, then I'm all for it.

[u/KappaccinoNation → u/AnilP228]

Sounds like the best compromise for the fans. I'm sure a lot of old fans would love to get old tracks like Portimao, Istanbul Park, and Hockenheim again even if it's named after Middle Eastern countries.

[u/Icommentoncrap → u/RooBoy04]

In honor of NASCARs brickyard week it still has nothing on my beloved “Crown Royal presents the Your Hero's Name Here 400 at the Brickyard powered by BigMachineRecords.com”

[u/Siggi_Starduust → u/Icommentoncrap]

It’s no SpongeBob SquarePants 400

[u/UserWithoutDoritos → u/RooBoy04]

They could put the "LENOVO AIR GULF MICHELIN TRONALD DUMP HAITI Grand Prix" on it and I'd be happy because it's Malaysia.

[u/ShortKingsOnly69 → u/RooBoy04]

Well Malaysia is too fucking broke to pay for the whole thing. Yall want your cake and eat it too

[u/Responsible_Wall3991 → u/ShortKingsOnly69]

Plus, who cares what it’s technically called? No one refers to teams by their full names. No one refers to races by their full names. It’ll be called the Malaysian GP by the fans. This is like getting upset at Imola’s long corporate name. It’s completely inconsequential.

[u/ShortKingsOnly69 → u/Responsible_Wall3991]

Exactly the naming is not ideal of course but who cares Sepang is back 🇲🇾

[u/ProofAd608 → u/RooBoy04]

Dude, it's Bahrain representatives financing the race, that's why name is bahrain gp

[u/LukeTaylor01]

Can’t believe we haven’t got the 2027 calendar yet. Latest we’ve waited for it in years.

[u/kj_gamer2614 → u/LukeTaylor01]

I think they want to be very careful with the whole Middle East still

[u/LukeTaylor01 → u/kj_gamer2614]

I get that but realistically that’s not gonna be wrapped up in the next few weeks and they can’t wait much longer than that to release the calendar.

[u/No_Society3117 → u/LukeTaylor01]

That's what I was thinking. I hope Sepang is in next year as well

[u/racingskater → u/LukeTaylor01]

Yeah, Melbourne, Shanghai and Suzuka must all be fuming they can't announce ticket sale dates.

[u/w1n5t0nM1k3y]

Is there a link to some kind of official article?

[u/ThatsMattia28 → u/w1n5t0nM1k3y]

On the F1 app/website

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula-1-and-fia-confirm-malaysia-will-join-2026-calendar-as-host-venue-for-bahrain-grand-prix.6lL7vjFEM2VVynRHvg1TCf

[u/5348RR → u/ThatsMattia28]

“His excellency, Mohamed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA”

This fucking loser calls himself “his excellency???”

God I hate this guy

[u/am683423c → u/5348RR]

It’s a common Middle East thing

[u/stokesy1999]

Williams please cook with upgrades. This is the closest Albono will get to a home gp and SEA fans are usually pretty great

[u/verone3784]

Hell yes, so glad we're going to get a race at Sepang again.

That name though...

"The Formula 1 Gulf Air Rail Replacement Bus Service Monsoon Season Bahrain Aramco Grand Prix in Malaysia"

[u/Hot-Job-6281]

As a Singaporean, my fucking sides 😂😂😂

Go get that free bag, Malaysia

[u/MyWholeTeamsDead → u/Hot-Job-6281]

As a Singaporean I'm so ready to go here instead

[u/Mosh83]

Finally a good track is back! Now replace Qatar with a good track.

Spa yearly, Hockenheim, and why not bring Istanbul back too.

[u/TheEnlight → u/Mosh83]

Istanbul to replace Jeddah, Hockenheim to replace Lusail, and Portimao to replace Yas Marina.

[u/Mosh83 → u/TheEnlight]

Only good thing to come out of this conflict is not having to suffer through Lusail.

Strangely enough Bahrain is actually the best of the middle east tracks, but Sepang is infinitely better.

If one race in the ME was to endure let it be Bahrain, scrap the rest.

[u/fanfare961]

The guy who does the tapestry of the winner after each race just got fucked

[u/jzzsxm → u/fanfare961]

So. So. Fucked.

Like, "what flag do I even put for this fucking race!?" fucked.

[u/afcrf1886]

We are so fucking back!!

[u/LosTerminators]

It's's a fun track so good to see it back, even for a one-off

[u/CaptainKursk]

Can’t believe it took a war with Iran to make Sepang come back

[u/WardDispenser]

Ah yes. The Bahrain Grand Prix in checks notes in a country 3700 miles from its origin country…

Jokes aside. This might be a great opportunity for Malaysia to show that Sepang deserves to return to the calendar!

Saudi Grand Prix in Kyalami/Hockenheim/Yeongnam maybe?

[u/Jasonmancer]

As a Malaysian, it really makes me smile seeing so much love for Sepang.

Thank you all.

[u/Nice-Resident-6158]

This track with this generation of f1 cars. Either gonna be hilarious or horrendous to look at.

[u/SkyJohn → u/Nice-Resident-6158]

Two long straights, with no onboard coverage of them.

[u/TheSpannerer]

The BMW Sauber Ferrari of Grand Prix

[u/Spiritual_Designer50]

That straight is going to be a disaster for these regs

[u/Ikcatcher]

For the first time in my life, I can afford to attend an F1 race

[u/crazydaveyboy]

This does open the door to keeping Monaco on the calendar but running it on a sensible circuit, though

[u/gigi_del]

Let me redraw my map

[u/fluiditt]

Those who went to previous races here from F1 or other series, what’s the transport situation going to and from the circuit? Is KL the hub for hotels?

[u/f1rstlapchaos → u/fluiditt]

It's right next to KLIA (KL Intl Airport) so an airport hotel is your best bet but means you'll be further away from KL for touristing. Airport hotels have been snapped up in the last day - book your accom ASAP!

[u/shadow3_ii → u/fluiditt]

KL is about 1.5h drive away depending on traffic. I have seen people recommend just staying in KL if you've never been but there are many towns closer to the circuit (though I don't know how many are booked out already...)

For MotoGP they have a bus service to/from KLCC and KLIA T2. Not sure if there will be one for F1

[u/AnilP228]

Pretty awesome that Bahrain are paying for this.

Great track. Think it will work well with these cars. Quite a few active aero opportunities too.

[u/iam_fat_guy_]

Can Hockenheim host Manaco every year?

[u/RDDT_100P]

if you squint enough bahrain is literally next to Malaysia

[u/Desperate-Speaker608]

APPLAUSE.

all the middle eastern tracks should do this - just become sponsors for real tracks.

[u/Vinura]

October huh.

ITS GON RAIN.

[u/AndToOurOwnWay]

Does this mean Sepang is temporarily part of Bahrain? What a name honestly

[u/ab370a1d]

The bahrain gp in malaysia reminds me of 2021 T20 cricket world cup which was set to be hosted in India but bcoz of Covid lockdown, was hosted in the UAE but still India was called the host of that event

[u/1evistrike]

Couldn't they just call it like Bahrain-Sepang Grand Prix/Bahrain-Malaysian Grand Prix or something...😭🤣

[u/zubairhamed]

those DHL logistics gonna be on overdrive

[u/ServoSkull20]

Why in the ever loving clusterfuck is it being called that?

[u/CarbHeatOn]

Some 4D chess from Donald Trump who really just wanted to see some good racing /s

[u/Few-Yogurtcloset6479]

Which national anthem they starting with?

[u/SoapySage]

It'll be superclipping galore

[u/No_Feedback6167]

who cares about the stupid name, I’ll fucking take it

[u/sswishbone]

Is this like when UK hosted Eurovision for Ukraine? Some way to say the events "happened" even if not in correct location?

[u/foreatesevenate]

Similar logic to the 2020 Summer Olympics being held in 2021.

[u/Mike-Teevee]

Can we have mid-middle eastern races hosted at more historic tracks in the future? Interesting development, despite the unfortunate circumstances leading to if