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Formula 1 will replace its cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix with an extra round of the world championship which will take place in October.
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But although the race will keep the same title, the race will not take place in Bahrain. The race instead take place 6,000 kilometres away at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Bahrain’s round of the world championship was cancelled in April after the USA and Israel began bombing Iran, prompting the country to launch its own strikes against other countries in the region, including Bahrain. F1 was also forced to cancel the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
After the USA and Iran reached a Memorandum of Understanding over the conflict, leading to a cessation of strikes, the Bahrain race promoters expressed hope of reinstating their race to the calendar. However the resumption of bombing in recent weeks has renewed concerns over the viability of racing in the Middle East.
The final two rounds of the season are also due to take place in the Middle East at two other countries which Iran has attacked: Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Other series, including the World Endurance Championship, have already abandoned attempts to race in the region this year.
Malaysia’s race will slot in between Azerbaijan and Singapore’s rounds, forming a run of three consecutive events. The final 11 weeks of the season will now feature a total of nine events, providing the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds can go ahead.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the decision to reinstate one of the two cancelled races was “fantastic news for our fans.”
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“They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue. Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history.”
Sepang will return to the F1 calendar having previously hosted the championship between 1999 and 2017. Max Verstappen won the last race at the venue nine years ago.
Grands prix have been held outside their designated countries in the past, most notably when Italy’s second round of the world championship was dubbed the ‘San Marino’ Grand Prix between 1981 and 2006. The Luxembourg Grand Prix was twice held in Germany and Dijon in France held the 1982 Swiss Grand Prix.
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