Formula 1’s leadership is currently in discussions with the promoters of the Malaysian Grand Prix, exploring the possibility of a surprise comeback for the Sepang circuit as a stand‑in race later this season. According to sources at Sky Sports F1, the governing body was on the verge of confirming the return of the Bahrain Grand Prix for early October, but recent escalations in Middle‑East tensions have forced a re‑evaluation of the calendar. In light of the evolving situation, officials are now looking at inserting a Malaysian round on 4 October, which would sit neatly between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 26 September and the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October. Sepang’s organisers were among several venues that volunteered to host a race this year, and F1 is weighing their proposal alongside other contingency options.
The push for a Malaysian event is also tied to the uncertainty surrounding the final two races of the season, slated for Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December. If those Middle‑East meetings are cancelled, the series would need viable alternatives to fill the calendar’s tail end. European alternatives become less attractive at that time of year because of colder weather; potential but less appealing choices include Portugal’s Algarve International Circuit in Portimão or the Istanbul Park layout in Turkey, both of which would present logistical and climatic challenges. The Malaysian Grand Prix last appeared on the Formula 1 schedule in 2017 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the toughest challenges on the roster, thanks to the sweltering heat and oppressive humidity that test both driver stamina and car reliability.
A return to Sepang would therefore re‑introduce a demanding environment that could shake up the championship standings. In parallel with the calendar talks, the sport’s media partners are promoting ways for fans to stay connected. Sky Sports F1 encourages viewers to stream every race via the NOW platform, while also offering dedicated coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix, including live sessions, qualifying analysis, and post‑race commentary.
Additional content such as head‑to‑head driver comparisons and team‑mate scoreboards are available through the Sky Sports app and WhatsApp service. One of the drivers most vocal about expanding the schedule is George Russell.
Currently sitting third in the Drivers’ Championship, 50 points adrift of teammate Kimi Antonelli, Russell welcomed the idea of adding more races to compensate for the cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier in the year. \"I’d love to have a 24‑race season and get as many races as possible between now and the end of the year. That doesn’t change whether I’m leading, second, third or fourth in the standings,\" he said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
\"I want to race, I love the competition, and if we lose the Middle‑East events, I hope we can find two replacements – perhaps a race between Baku and Singapore. I’d be happy to race every weekend if I could.\" The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend itself is packed with action across multiple categories. On Friday, July 24, the schedule includes F3 practice at 8:50 am, F2 practice at 10:00 am, Hungarian GP practice one starting at 12:30 pm, followed by F3 qualifying at 1:55 pm, F2 qualifying at 3:00 pm, and Hungarian GP practice two at 4:00 pm, culminating with The F1 Show at 5:15 pm.
Saturday, July 25, features an F3 sprint at 9:00 am, Hungarian GP practice three at 11:30 am, an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the crucial Hungarian GP qualifying session at 3:00 pm, with additional analysis segments throughout the day. Sunday, July 26, rounds out the weekend with an F3 feature race at 7:35 am, the Porsche Supercup at 9:05 am, F2 feature race at 10:20 am, and the main event – the Hungarian Grand Prix – starting at 2:00 pm, followed by post‑race reactions and commentary. All of these sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and viewers can also access the coverage via the NOW streaming service, which offers a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime model. The network also provides extra features such as "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook" and "Ted’s Notebook" for in‑depth analysis, as well as a dedicated "Hungarian GP schedule and how to watch" guide.
Should the Malaysian round be confirmed, it would not only fill a scheduling gap but also re‑ignite interest in a venue known for its grueling conditions and passionate local fanbase. The return of Sepang could serve as a showcase for teams to demonstrate reliability under extreme heat, potentially influencing tyre strategies, cooling systems, and driver fitness programs. Moreover, a successful re‑introduction could pave the way for a more permanent slot on future calendars, perhaps even as a regular feature beyond 2026.
In summary, Formula 1 is actively seeking to mitigate the impact of Middle‑East disruptions by exploring a late‑October race in Malaysia, while simultaneously promoting extensive coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix across multiple platforms. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to Sky Sports and NOW for the latest updates, live streams, and expert analysis as the season unfolds.