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

The event replaces the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix from earlier this year after instability in the region in the Gulf state ruled out the race.

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and preparing the track again comes with a fair few headaches.

Organisers now face questions over whether the circuit can be prepared on schedule after years of slow progress.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepang has been reluctant to revive major international events, which is why eyes are now on the next few months.

If problems pop up before race weekend, organisers have not ruled out cancellation, and Imola in Italy is kept ready as a backup if needed.

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

Tickets and detailed schedules have not yet been released, and full details are expected in the lead-up to October.

Fans in Southeast Asia will be waiting for firmer news as the countdown to race day ticks down.