Sepang in Malaysia will host a Formula 1 race in October 2026, organisers gave the green light on Tuesday.

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

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and bringing it back comes with its own set of challenges.

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

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepang has been hesitant to relaunch major international events, and that has put pressure on organisers.

If preparations stall before race weekend, organisers reserves the right to cancel, 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 recovery period remains tight.

Tickets and detailed schedules have not yet been released, and a proper timetable are expected in the months ahead.

Fans watching for updates will be watching closely as the countdown to race day continues.