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via CrashWhy the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix is being held in MalaysiaFormula 1 will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on 4 October 2026, marking the country's return to the calendar after a hiatus since 2017. The race will be named the Bahrain Grand Prix due to financial support from Bahrain, which is helping cover the costs of the event. This unique arrangement comes as F1 seeks to maintain a full racing schedule amid geopolitical tensions affecting other races in the region.
Stefano Domenicali, F1 president and CEO, expressed excitement about the return to Malaysia, highlighting the significance of the Sepang International Circuit in F1 history. The race will be part of a triple-header alongside the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. F1 is also preparing contingency plans in case races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi face cancellations, ensuring the season remains robust with at least 22 races.
via Motorsport.comAlex Albon and Carlos Sainz reveal F1 boys' trip plansAlex Albon and Carlos Sainz have announced plans for a boys' trip in Asia, taking advantage of the schedule between the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix. They mentioned that several Formula 1 drivers will join them, and Albon expressed excitement about the trip during an interview ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The trip comes as Sainz faces a five-place grid penalty for failing to slow under yellow flag conditions, starting the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 14th position. Both drivers are currently positioned low in the championship standings, with Sainz in 16th and Albon in 17th.
via Motorsport.comWill Buxton calls for sprint points system overhaulWill Buxton has urged Formula 1 to reconsider its sprint race points system in light of the expanding calendar for 2027. His comments come as the sport prepares to introduce new events, including a proposed sprint race at the Madrid circuit.
via Motorsport.comVerstappen indifferent to Monaco Sprint race announcementMax Verstappen expressed his lack of concern regarding the announcement of the Sprint race at the Monaco Grand Prix, stating he feels 'no emotion attached to it.' The Red Bull Racing driver has previously voiced his disdain for the Sprint format in Formula 1.
via Formula1.comThe F1 Fantasy Strategist on Baku, Sepang and SingaporeFormula 1 is set for a challenging triple header with races in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Singapore. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on a Saturday, while the Bahrain Grand Prix marks a return to Sepang after a long absence. Singapore will introduce its first Sprint weekend, adding to the excitement and complexity for F1 Fantasy players as they strategise their line-ups.
Key drivers to watch include Max Verstappen, who has a strong record in Baku, and Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship with consistent performances. Mercedes remains a top choice for fantasy points, while McLaren shows promising form. Players are encouraged to consider their strategies carefully, especially with the tight deadlines and potential weather challenges during the races.
via f1technical.netPirelli reveals tyre selections for Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Singapore Grands PrixPirelli has revealed its tyre selections for the upcoming triple-header of Grands Prix, which includes Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Singapore. The softest compounds, C3, C4, and C5, will be used for the street races in Baku and Singapore, while an intermediate selection of C2, C3, and C4 will be employed for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. This decision reflects the unique characteristics of each circuit and aims to enhance the competitive environment during the races.
The choice of compounds for Sepang is designed to reduce the performance gap between one-stop and two-stop strategies, encouraging teams to explore various race approaches. The return to Sepang, which last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2017, presents a different challenge due to its abrasive surface and high temperatures. Pirelli's selections will create distinct tyre challenges across the three races, promoting strategic diversity among teams.
via gpfans.comTom Clarkson to miss first F1 race in 28 yearsF1 broadcaster Tom Clarkson will miss the upcoming race in Sepang, marking the first time he has not attended a Grand Prix since 1998. Clarkson has previously attended over 500 consecutive races, a remarkable streak that will now come to an end.
via Motorsport.comNico Rosberg shocked by Williams' 2026 performanceNico Rosberg has expressed his surprise at the poor performance of Williams in the 2026 season. He emphasized the significant challenge facing team principal James Vowles in improving the team's situation.
via PlanetF1Mercedes confirms W17 upgrade for Bahrain Grand PrixMercedes has announced that its next major upgrade for the W17 will be deployed at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin stated that the team is aiming to enhance its performance and regain competitiveness in the 2026 season.
via Motorsport.comWilliams concedes 2026 upgrades insufficient for pointsThe Williams Formula 1 team is experiencing difficulties in the 2026 season, prompting a shift in focus towards 2027. Team principal James Vowles has acknowledged that the remaining upgrades for this season will not be sufficient to improve their performance significantly.
via Motorsport.comRivals copying Ferrari F1 aero designs "a good reward" for MaranelloFerrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, expressed that the imitation of their innovative designs by rival teams serves as a validation of their engineering efforts. The SF-26, Ferrari's latest car, showcases several unique features, including the Flick Tail Mode and the Macarena wing, which have attracted attention and led to copies by competitors like McLaren and Red Bull. However, the FIA has intervened by banning the exhaust wing design for the upcoming 2027 season to maintain regulatory control over F1 innovations.
Despite challenges with their power unit, Ferrari's chassis has been deemed highly competitive, with drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton achieving victories in recent races. Vasseur highlighted the importance of a long-term vision in F1 development, noting the time required to implement changes and recruit talent, which is essential for the team's future success.
via thejudge13.comIs it time to scrap the F1 summer break as D-Day approaches for Qatar and Abu Dhabi?The Formula 1 calendar has expanded to 24 races, with the season typically running from February to December. Due to ongoing instability in the Middle East, there are concerns about the viability of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races, which could lead to significant changes in the schedule, including the potential cancellation of these events and a shift to Imola for the season finale.
The article discusses the implications of the mandated summer break, which was introduced in 2009 to allow teams a period of rest and cost savings. However, with the current racing calendar stretching nearly a year and teams growing in size, there are calls to reconsider this break to allow for more flexibility in scheduling races, particularly in Europe during the summer months.
via Motorsport.comExclusive - Fred Vasseur explains how he challenged Ferrari to take more risksFred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, is pushing for a cultural shift within the team to embrace risk-taking in their design and strategy. Since his arrival in early 2023, he has focused on reducing the blame culture and encouraging innovation, which has led to the development of unique features in Ferrari's 2026 car, such as a rotating rear wing. This approach aims to enhance performance and competitiveness on the track.
Despite the challenges posed by the cost cap and the potential pitfalls of risky innovations, Vasseur believes that fostering a supportive environment for engineers will lead to better decision-making and improved results. He is confident that as the team continues to adopt this bold mentality, they will see positive outcomes in their performance, as evidenced by recent race wins from their drivers.
via RacingNews365Pirelli selects tyre range for Bahrain Grand PrixPirelli has confirmed the tyre selection for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place in Malaysia. The chosen tyres include the C2, C3, and C4 compounds, suitable for the event.
via Motorsport.comF1 pre-start procedure to remain despite safety concernsThe FIA has stated that the pre-start procedure will remain in place for the upcoming seasons, despite declaring that safety issues have been resolved. This decision follows discussions among teams regarding the challenges faced during practice starts in Bahrain.
via AutosportF1 teams debate pre-start procedure for 2027 seasonThe Formula 1 paddock is currently engaged in discussions regarding the start procedure for the 2027 season. Concerns arose after problematic practice starts during winter testing in Bahrain, prompting teams to seek potential adjustments.
via Formula1.comTickets launched for 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaThe Bahrain International Circuit and Sepang International Circuit have officially launched ticket sales for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for October 2-4, 2026. Tickets are available for both international fans and Malaysian citizens, with various pricing options to accommodate different budgets. Special rates are offered for MyKad holders, and children under six can benefit from discounts or free entry. Accessible seating is also provided for those with additional needs.
This event marks the return of Formula 1 to Malaysia after a hiatus since 2017, generating excitement among fans. Gulf Air's announcement of direct flights to facilitate travel for the race weekend further enhances accessibility. Both Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and Azhan Shafriman Hanif expressed their enthusiasm for the event and encouraged fans to secure their tickets early to avoid disappointment.
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli at centre of Montoya Malaysia predictionThe Sepang Circuit in Malaysia will host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, marking F1's return to the venue for the first time since 2017. This change is due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and it has led to a unique race weekend setup. Juan Pablo Montoya has predicted that championship leader Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen will perform exceptionally well at this popular track, which he regards as his favorite. Antonelli currently holds a significant lead in the Drivers' Championship, while Verstappen is the last winner at Sepang from 2017.
The race weekend at Sepang will be part of a triple-header, following races in Baku and Singapore, resulting in a busy schedule of six races over seven weekends. Montoya highlighted the importance of bravery for drivers to succeed at Sepang, indicating that both Verstappen and Antonelli possess the skills needed to navigate its challenges effectively. This strategic adjustment by F1 aims to ensure a full championship despite the circumstances affecting the original race location.
via Formula1.com10 quiz questions on F1 at the Sepang International CircuitThe Sepang International Circuit is set to make its return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2026, coinciding with Malaysia hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix. This will be the first F1 event at the Sepang track in nearly ten years, marking a significant moment for fans and the sport in the region.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed enthusiasm about the return, highlighting its importance for fans. The announcement was made late last month, generating excitement among the F1 community as they prepare for the upcoming race.
via grandprix.comBarcelona on standby as 2027 F1 calendar delayedThe ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to delays in the publication of the 2027 Formula 1 calendar, with Barcelona emerging as a potential substitute for Bahrain's pre-season testing. The situation has already affected the 2026 race schedule, prompting Bahrain's race to be relocated to Malaysia and leaving other venues uncertain for the season.
Formula 1 is committed to maintaining a 24-race schedule for 2027, with plans to include Portugal and Turkey. While the organization is prepared for potential changes to the calendar, Domenicali emphasized that the broader political issues in the region take precedence over scheduling concerns.Page 1 of 2













