Formula One’s leadership is currently negotiating with the promoters of the Malaysian Grand Prix in an effort to bring the Sepang circuit back onto the calendar as a surprise stand‑in race for the 2026 season. According to sources at Sky Sports F1, the sport was on the brink 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 schedule. In light of the developing situation, officials are now looking at the possibility of inserting a Malaysian round on 4 October, positioned 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 the governing body is weighing those offers alongside the logistical challenges posed by the shifting geopolitical landscape.
The push to consider Malaysia is also tied to the uncertainty surrounding the final two events of the season, which are slated for Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December. If those Middle‑East meetings are cancelled, the championship would be left with a significant gap in its late‑season programme.
European alternatives at that time of year are limited by colder weather; circuits such as Portugal’s Algarve International (Portimão) and Istanbul Park in Turkey have been mentioned as fallback options, but they lack the warm climate that characterises the traditional Asian swing. The Malaysian Grand Prix last featured on the F1 calendar in 2017 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the toughest tests on the roster, thanks to the oppressive heat and high humidity that can sap both driver stamina and mechanical reliability. Bringing Sepang back would not only fill a scheduling void but also re‑introduce a unique challenge that many fans and teams miss. In related news, driver George Russell, who sits third in the Drivers’ Championship and trails his teammate Kimi Antonelli by 50 points, expressed enthusiasm for a longer calendar that could compensate for the earlier cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds.
"I’d love to have a 24‑race season and get as many races as possible between here and the end of the season. That doesn’t change whether I’m leading, second, third or fourth in the standings," Russell told reporters ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. He added, "I want to race, I love the fight, and if the Middle‑East events don’t happen, I hope we can slot in two replacements. Maybe a race between Baku and Singapore.
I’d be happy to race every weekend if I could." The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend is set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with a full slate of supporting series action. Friday, 24 July, will see Formula 3 practice at 8:50 am, followed by Formula 2 practice at 10:00 am, and the first Hungarian GP practice session starting at 12:30 pm. Qualifying sessions for F3 and F2 will take place in the early afternoon, leading into the second practice session for the Hungarian GP at 4:00 pm. The day will conclude with the F1 Show at 5:15 pm.
Saturday, 25 July, features the F3 sprint race at 9:00 am, the third Hungarian GP practice at 11:30 am, and the F2 sprint at 1:10 pm. The main qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled for 3:00 pm, with additional analysis and commentary from the Sky Sports team throughout the afternoon.
On Sunday, 26 July, the program kicks off with the F3 feature race at 7:35 am, followed by the Porsche Supercup at 9:05 am and the F2 feature race at 10:20 am. The Hungarian Grand Prix itself will start at 12:30 pm, with the race concluding around 2:00 pm, after which post‑race reactions, a chequered‑flag ceremony, and a final notebook from commentator Ted will round out the coverage. All sessions will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event for subscribers.
Viewers can stream Sky Sports through the NOW platform without a long‑term contract and cancel at any time, ensuring easy access to every practice, qualifying and race session. Should the Middle‑East races be called off, the inclusion of a Malaysian round would not only preserve the number of races but also bring back the distinctive atmosphere of Sepang, with its tropical heat, enthusiastic local crowd, and a circuit layout that tests aerodynamics, tyre management and driver endurance. The move underscores Formula 1’s commitment to maintaining a robust global calendar, even in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, and highlights the sport’s willingness to adapt by tapping into proven venues that can deliver both excitement and logistical feasibility. In summary, while the final decision is pending, the prospect of a 2026 Malaysian Grand Prix stands as a compelling solution to potential calendar gaps, offering fans another thrilling chapter in the ever‑evolving story of Formula One.