Sepang in Malaysia will host a Formula 1 race in October 2026, plans were formally announced on Tuesday.

The race replaces the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix from earlier this year after instability in the region in the Gulf state made hosting impossible.

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and getting the circuit race-ready again comes with plenty of hurdles.

Organisers must deal with 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, and that has put pressure on organisers.

If issues arise before race weekend, organisers reserves the right to cancel, and Imola in Italy is waiting in the wings if needed.

The October date signals a comeback for Southeast Asian motorsport, though the road to race day remains tight.

Tickets and detailed schedules have not yet been released, and full details are expected in the coming weeks.

Fans across the region will be hoping for the best as the countdown to race day draws closer.