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Formula 1 bosses are in talks with Malaysian Grand Prix organizers to make the Sepang race a surprise return to the calendar this year as a stand-in event.
Sky Sports F1 It is understood that F1 was close to announcing a return to the Bahrain Grand Prix schedule in early October, only for the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in recent weeks.
Given the current situation, F1 is now considering slotting Malaysia into the October 4 schedule – between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.
The Sepang circuit was one of several races organizers tried their hands at a grand prix stage this year, with F1 assessing their options.
Malaysia’s ambitions are also affected by the possibility of missing the final two races of the season in Qatar (Nov 29) and Abu Dhabi (Dec 6).
F1’s options in Europe at that time of year will be limited due to the cold climate between the options of Portimao in Portugal and Istanbul in Turkey, unless there is a Middle East race.
Max Verstappen last won the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017
The last Malaysian Grand Prix was held in 2017 and was renowned as one of the toughest events on the calendar due to the heat and humidity.
George Russell is third in the drivers’ championship, 50 points behind team-mate Kimi Antonelli, and is open to adding more races to the schedule thanks to the cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
“I want to do a 24-race season and get as many races as possible between here and the end of the season. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the lead or second or third or fourth (in the standings),” he said, ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I want to go racing, I love racing, I love fighting and I hope, if we don’t race in the Middle East, there will be two replacements. I hope we can find a race between Baku and Singapore. I’d be happy to go racing every weekend if I could.”
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Take a look back at some of the year’s most dramatic moments at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Sky Sports F1’s Hungarian GP schedule
Friday 24 July
8.50am: Exercised F3
10am: F2 practice
12.00pm: Hungarian GP Practice One (Session starts at 12.30pm)*
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
3pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: Hungarian GP Practice Two (Session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 show
Saturday 25 July
9am: F3 sprint
11.15am: Hungarian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint*
2.15pm: Hungarian GP Qualifying Build-up*
3pm: Hungarian GP Qualifying*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifications Notebook*
Sunday 26th July
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: Porsche Supercup
10.20am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Hungarian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: Hungarian Grand Prix*
4pm: Hungarian GP Reaction: Checkered Flag*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports main events
Formula 1 heads to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix live from this Friday with every session on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
