Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated on Saturday that his government will make an announcement on Sunday regarding the possible return of Formula One to the Sepang International Circuit. The statement, reported by multiple local and international media, follows weeks of speculation that Malaysia could step in as a replacement venue after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix, originally scheduled for April, were called off because of military conflict in the Middle East.

According to the youth and sports ministry, preliminary discussions and an assessment of the proposal are under way. International media reports, citing sources close to the championship, indicate that the most likely slot for a Sepang race is 4 October, filling a gap between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 26 September and the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October. The race would probably be billed as the Bahrain Grand Prix hosted by Malaysia, a formula that, according to one report, would see Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat cover the hosting fees and thus ease local concerns about cost.

Viewed from the perspective of Formula One’s commercial requirements, a replacement round is needed to maintain the number of races stipulated in broadcasting contracts after the loss of the two Middle Eastern events. The original 2026 calendar comprised 24 grands prix. While Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still scheduled to close the season in late November and early December, sources at the Hungarian Grand Prix confirmed to Reuters that the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, has emerged as a frontrunner to host the finale should those races also become unviable. Portugal’s Portimão circuit, though set to return in 2027, is reportedly hampered by winter construction work.

Former Sepang circuit chief executive Razlan Razali told the Malaysian national news agency that the venue remains capable of staging a race on short notice, with infrastructure maintained to the highest standards, but stressed that any agreement should be evaluated on the terms offered by commercial rights holder Liberty Media, particularly hosting costs. He and former Malaysian F1 driver Alex Yoong both argued that ticket prices must be kept affordable to fill the grandstands, especially with only about a month to promote the event if it is held close to Singapore. State oil company Petronas, a long-time Mercedes team partner, said the decision rests with the sports ministry and relevant authorities.

Anwar’s announcement is expected to clarify whether Malaysia will formally accept the one-off opportunity. Formula One is likely to confirm any calendar changes during the mid-season break that follows this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, before racing resumes at the end of August.