Formula 1 has arranged for the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpur to stage a grand prix on 2-4 October as a replacement for the Bahrain race that was called off earlier this season because of the war in the Middle East. The Sepang track, last on the F1 calendar in 2017, will host the event on behalf of Bahrain and the race will be presented as the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia. The deal has been organised by Formula 1 but still needs formal sign-off, including from the FIA, and an official announcement is expected in the coming days, perhaps as early as Sunday. Scheduling Sepang on 2-4 October would put races on three consecutive weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had their April races postponed after the USA and Israel launched their war against Iran, and the same conflict has created uncertainty over Qatar and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for late November and early December. F1 is considering alternatives for the end of the season, with Imola the leading fallback and Portimao and Istanbul Park also under consideration. If all four Middle Eastern races are cancelled the calendar would fall from 24 races to 20; F1 is keen to reach at least 21 races because fewer than that could trigger contractual clauses requiring rights-fee repayments to broadcasters and potentially similar financial effects for teams.
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