Bahrain Circuit Chief recalls surprise call that moved race to Sepang
SEPANG: The decision to stage the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this year came as a complete surprise to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa.
SEPANG: Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa was caught off guard when he learned of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) being moved to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on a phone call as he was leaving the 2026 Belgian GP at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Prince Salman Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, informed Sheikh Salman of the change while the latter was en route to Spa.
Initially, Sheikh Salman was hesitant, but the deep connections between Bahrain and Malaysia, along with Sepang's history as a former Formula 1 host, made the decision a logical choice. Malaysia and SIC, which previously hosted Formula 1 from 1999 to 2017, were eager to welcome the race back to their iconic circuit. The Gulf Air Bahrain GP is scheduled to take place from October 2 to 4, 2026, after being cancelled earlier in the season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The race's return to Sepang was made possible with the approval of Bahrain's King, King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, and Malaysia's King, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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