Aussie F1 fans treated to another race close to home
Australian Formula 1 fans are well and truly in the depths of late-night race starts for the 2026 season.
As the European leg pushes on toward the final stretch of the calendar, Aussie fans are all too accustomed to setting their alarms for 11pm just to catch the start of the race.
Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo was on the podium last time out in Malaysia. Clive Mason
However, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this season due to conflict in the Middle East, F1 has confirmed a former mainstay circuit will fill void.
The Sepang circuit in Kuala Lumpur will host the Bahrain Grand Prix of Malaysia on October 2-4. The race will sit between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.
For Australians, this could mean a race much closer to a prime-time slot and geographically closer to home - well, as close as a five-hour flight anyway.
“We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026,” F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.
“Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1.”
A return to the Sepang International Circuit makes perfect sense from a geographical sense and will also be a welcome return for fans.
The circuit sits on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and is literally next door to the airport. The next race in Singapore is also barely an hour’s flight away or less than a five-hour drive.
The Malaysian Grand Prix was also a beloved fixture on the F1 schedule from 1999 to 2017 before dropping off due to concerns over its long-term financial viability.
Max Verstappen notably claimed victory at the final edition of the race, alongside then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo taking third place. Ricciardo won the 2016 race.
Throughout its tenure, Sepang was a widely popular track among F1 drivers. It has also continued to host top-tier international motorsport events, including MotoGP since its last grand prix.
Verstappen won the race in Malaysia in 2017, the last time F1 raced there. Clive Mason
Crucially for F1 organisers, the track still holds the FIA Grade 1 license required to host a race.
This existing accreditation was a massive logistical advantage, which cleared the way for the sport to return on short notice.
F1 is in the midst of its mid-season break, and will return for the Dutch Grand Prix on August 23.
