Malaysia set to host F1 race in October

Malaysia is set to hold a grand prix in October as a replacement for the Bahrain race that was called off earlier this season as a result of the war in the Middle East.

The Sepang track near Kuala Lumpur, which was last on the calendar in 2017, is expected to stage a race on behalf of Bahrain on 2-4 October, a week before the event in neighbour Singapore.

The race will be presented as the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia.

The event is expected to be announced officially in the coming days, perhaps as early as Sunday.

It has been arranged by Formula 1, but has not yet been been through the formal sign-off process, which also includes governing body the FIA.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia both had their April races postponed in March after the USA and Israel launched their war against Iran.

F1 had hoped that Bahrain could be reinstated in October. But with the deadline approaching by which a new date had to be confirmed for logistical reasons, and no sign of the war ending, a decision had to be made to race elsewhere.

When Malaysia is confirmed, it will mean races on three consecutive weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore.