Race cancelled 24 hours after Bahrain GP in Malaysia confirmed as organisers issue update

The expedited move to hastily arrange a Formula 1 race in Malaysia has already come at a cost to another motorsport racing series. On Sunday, it was announced that the Sepang circuit south of Kuala Lumpur, which last hosted an F1 race in 2017, will be the venue for a rearranged Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Bahrain race was due to be held in April but was cancelled, along with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, due to conflict in the Middle East. Ongoing hostilities in the region have scuppered plans to hold a race at the Bahrain International Circuit in October, and so the Gulf country has picked up the bill for a race to be held 3,750 miles away in Malaysia.

It will take place between October 2 and 4, sandwiched between F1 races in Azerbaijan the previous weekend and then Singapore a week later. But work required at the Sepang circuit to get it ready for a Formula 1 race has already led to another motorsport series having to reschedule its planned event.

A letter, sent to "competitors and partners" of the Thailand Super Series and signed by vice president Preeda Tantemsapya, read: "The official announcement made by Formula 1 and the FIA yesterday, that Malaysia will host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit on October 2-4... means the circuit will have to be closed for strict safety, surface cleaning and system checks in preparation for the Formula 1 event.

"Hence, we regret to inform you that we have received notification from the circuit management that they are unable to proceed with the Sepang event originally scheduled for September 18-20. Following receipt of this notification, we are actively working with different parties looking at all the possible alternative dates and plan to reschedule the event."

A similar message posted on the racing series' Facebook page added: "We sincerely apologise for this unforeseen situation beyond our control and appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support. Further updates will be announced as soon as they become available. Thank you for your continued trust and cooperation."

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F1 chiefs hope that the newly-confirmed Sepang race will be the last change required to the 2026 schedule. However, there remains doubt around the last two rounds of the season, in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, given ceasefires have failed to hold for long in recent weeks. On Monday, Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said air defence systems had destroyed drones launched from Iraq by Iran-aligned groups.

F1 and the FIA will not be able to host races in those countries if there continues to be a threat of fire from either Iran or its allies in the region. A decision does not have to be made yet, though time will be more of a factor come September when teams will need to start sending freight to the Gulf.