Sepang in Malaysia will host a Formula 1 race in October 2026, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The event replaces the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix from earlier this year after political tension in the Gulf state left the calendar with a gap.

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and reviving the event comes with plenty of hurdles.

Organisers are up against questions over whether the circuit can be brought up to standard after years of a tired facility.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepang has been cautious about restarting major international events, which is why eyes are now on the next few months.

If problems pop up before race weekend, organisers reserves the right to cancel, and Imola in Italy is sitting on standby if needed.

The October date marks a return for Southeast Asian motorsport, though the recovery period remains conditional on funding and work going to plan.

Tickets and detailed schedules have not yet been released, and confirmed logistics are expected in the lead-up to October.

Fans of Malaysian motorsport will be watching closely as the countdown to race day ticks down.