Sepang in Malaysia will host a Formula 1 race in October 2026, teams were told the news on Tuesday.

The race replaces the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix from earlier this year after political tension in the Gulf state forced the cancellation.

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and reviving the event comes with its own set of challenges.

Organisers must deal with questions over whether the circuit can be sorted for October after years of slow progress.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepang has been dragging its heels over major international events, leaving some fans worried.

If problems pop up before race weekend, organisers could still pull the plug, and Imola in Italy is on call as an emergency option if needed.

The October date is framed as a fresh start for Southeast Asian motorsport, though the last few months of prep remains fragile.

Tickets and detailed schedules have not yet been released, and confirmed logistics are expected in the coming weeks.

Fans of Malaysian motorsport will be waiting for firmer news as the countdown to race day unfolds.