2026 Bahrain GP moving to a new track

[Jericoke]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula-1-and-fia-confirm-malaysia-will-join-2026-calendar-as-host-venue-for-bahrain-grand-prix.6lL7vjFEM2VVynRHvg1TCf

The Bahrain Grand Prix won't be run at the Bahrain International Circuit this year.  Instead they've moved it a few KM to the east at an old circuit called the Sepang International Circuit.  You may be familiar with Sepang as the former host of the Malaysian Grand Prix.  Both tracks were laid out by Hermann Tilke.

Despite the race being held in Malaysia, it will still be called the Bahrain Grand Prix.  It isn't unheard of for national races to be run in other countries.  For example, the San Marino Grand Prix was only ever held in Italy and the Luxembourg Grand Prix was held in Germany.

[Alianora La Canta]

I think I will be calling the race Malaysia when the time comes, except for very official matters. I understand there is a financial reason the FIA and Liberty aren't doing that, but otherwise the consequences are absurd.

[cosworth151]

Maybe they could take a cue from the late rock star Prince and call it "The Race Formerly Known as the GP of Bahrain."

Sepang is the better of the 2 circuits IMO.

[lkjohnson1950]

 

[Jericoke]

Maybe they could take a cue from the late rock star Prince and call it "The Race Formerly Known as the GP of Bahrain."

Sepang is the better of the 2 circuits IMO.

I've certainly missed racing at Sepang. 

Not to get too political, but this race is one silver lining of the daft policies of a certain incompetent world leader, just as the weird Covid season gave us some interesting races.

[Dare]

Maybe they could take a cue from the late rock star Prince and call it "The Race Formerly Known as the GP of Bahrain."

Sepang is the better of the 2 circuits IMO.

I've certainly missed racing at Sepang. 

Not to get too political, but this race is one silver lining of the daft policies of a certain incompetent world leader, just as the weird Covid season gave us some interesting races.
[/quote

Incompetent is too kind...I would say insane

[lkjohnson1950]

 

[cosworth151]

Just looked at the schedule on formula1.com:

FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA 2026

There's still Qatar & Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.

[Jericoke]

Just looked at the schedule on formula1.com:

FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA 2026

There's still Qatar & Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.

Oooh, can we have Abu Dhabi at the San Marino GP track, and Qatar at the Luxembourg GP track?

Or we can have the Qatar European Grand Prix, at Watkin's Glen?

[Andy B]

I was at KL for the last race at Sepang along with Rob64 I thought it a good track well run and organised as for what to call it its going to be the Bahrain GP calling it anything else will just be confusing!

[cosworth151]

I wonder if they'll play both national anthems before the start?

[Robem64]

I was at KL for the last race at Sepang along with Rob64 I thought it a good track well run and organised as for what to call it its going to be the Bahrain GP calling it anything else will just be confusing!

Hi Andy....i remember it well.......hoping I can get tickets for this one off, I love this track

[cosworth151]

Maybe next year we can have "The Grand Prix of Miami at Sebring" and/or "The Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Laguna Seca."

[cosworth151]

It's not just F1. The upcoming 2026-2027 Asian LeMans Series will be held in Europe.

https://www.sro-motorsports.com/news/194/asian-le-mans-series-2026%E2%80%932027-an-exceptional-european-season

[Dare]

Just looked at the schedule on formula1.com:

FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA 2026

There's still Qatar & Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.

Oooh, can we have Abu Dhabi at the San Marino GP track, and Qatar at the Luxembourg GP track?

Or we can have the Qatar European Grand Prix, at Watkin's Glen?

I'd settle for going back to Brazil the last race of the year. If the WDC is close anything could happen there