(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Middle East conflict has already significantly disrupted the 2026 Formula 1 calendar: The two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which were originally scheduled to take place in the spring, have been canceled. The Bahrain Grand Prix will now take place in October – but not in the desert, rather in Malaysia.
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And there are still big question marks behind the last two season races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. “We definitely want to take as much time as possible,” says Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali about the targeted schedule until a decision must be made.
“But I think we have to make a decision by the end of September at the latest.” This is necessary solely because the changes to the race calendar bring significant logistical challenges – not only for the teams themselves but also, for example, for tire manufacturer Pirelli.
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For this reason, it had already been decided that the Bahrain Grand Prix cannot take place in Bahrain this year. “We wanted to make up the race in Bahrain, but we had to meet a strict deadline,” adds Domenicali.
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The most unusual Grand Prix names
“Therefore, in line with the vision of the Crown Prince of Bahrain, our relationship with him and his kingdom, and of course his relationship with the Kingdom of Malaysia, we decided that we have to be creative enough to dare something new.”
The Formula 1 race in Sepang will therefore not be held as the “Malaysian Grand Prix,” but actually as the “Bahrain Grand Prix,” although the two circuits are about 6,000 kilometers apart as the crow flies. “I am therefore very happy and proud to be able to make this announcement in the current situation.”
The name itself is unlikely to change much at the race. “It is good for our sport, it is good for our fans,” says Domenicali. “The races are fantastic, and we want to give them the best possible opportunity to enjoy them.”
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