In a major shift to the 2025 Formula 1 calendar triggered by escalating regional conflict in the Middle East, series organizers have confirmed the Bahrain Grand Prix will be relocated to Malaysia’s iconic Sepang International Circuit, marking the sport’s return to the Southeast Asian nation for the first time since 2017. The relocated race is currently scheduled for October 4, slotted into the existing calendar slot between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, pending final formal approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the governing body of global motorsport.
The decision comes after F1 called off planned races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, which were originally set for March and April, as tensions between Iran and neighboring powers escalated into open military conflict. In a notable break from standard event organization, the relocated race will retain the official Bahrain Grand Prix branding despite being hosted on the opposite side of the Asian continent—more than 6,000 kilometers from Bahrain’s capital of Manama.
Series leadership framed the move as a solution to preserve the full 2025 racing calendar while welcoming back a beloved historic venue. “Most importantly, this is fantastic news for our fans. They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue,” said Stefano Domenicali, F1 President and Chief Executive Officer, in an official statement Sunday. “Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It will provide a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans at the circuit and watching around the world.”
Bahrain’s senior leadership also reaffirmed the country’s long-term commitment to Formula 1 amid ongoing regional instability. Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noted that the relocation decision underscores the kingdom’s ongoing dedication to the sport. “Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a successful and memorable race for everyone involved,” he said.
While this cross-border race rebranding is unusual, it is not without precedent in F1 history. For decades, the San Marino Grand Prix was hosted at Italy’s Imola circuit rather than in San Marino itself, with the race last running under that name in 2006. Germany twice hosted Grands Prix officially branded for Luxembourg, and France held a one-off Swiss Grand Prix early in the sport’s history. No prior example, however, has seen two host countries separated by the full geographic distance that divides Bahrain and Malaysia.
Since hosting its final original F1 race in 2017, Malaysia has shifted its focus to hosting international motorcycle racing events, but has maintained a prominent presence in the F1 paddock through state-owned energy giant Petronas, one of the longest-running primary sponsors of the dominant Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.
The relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix has intensified ongoing uncertainty surrounding F1’s remaining scheduled races in the Gulf region. The series currently has two more races planned in the Middle East for the end of the 2025 season: the Qatar Grand Prix in November and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December. The status of both events remains uncertain, with organizers waiting to see if regional security conditions improve significantly before the scheduled dates.
If Qatar and Abu Dhabi are forced to cancel their races, the popular Las Vegas Grand Prix scheduled for November 21 would become the official 2025 season finale. Multiple European venues, including tracks in Portugal and Italy, have been cited in media reports as potential alternative hosts for any canceled Gulf races, though late-season scheduling in Europe brings significant risks of bad weather that could disrupt racing conditions.