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

The race replaces the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix from earlier this year after instability in the region in the Gulf state prompted organisers to scrap it.

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and bringing it back comes with a long task list.

Organisers now face questions over whether the circuit can be ready in time after years of a tired facility.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepang has been reluctant to revive major international events, which has raised eyebrows among fans.

If issues arise before race weekend, organisers have not ruled out cancellation, and Imola in Italy is waiting in the wings if needed.

The October date sees the circuit step back in for Southeast Asian motorsport, though the last few months of prep 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 coming weeks.

Fans tracking the F1 calendar will be keeping a close eye as the countdown to race day gets tighter.