Sepang in Malaysia will host a Formula 1 race in October 2026, organisers gave the green light on Tuesday.

The event replaces the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix from earlier this year after instability in the region in the Gulf state prompted organisers to scrap it.

Sepang has not staged an F1 race since 2017, and getting the circuit race-ready again comes with no shortage of problems.

Organisers must deal with questions over whether the circuit can be sorted for October after years of dragging their feet.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepang has been hesitant to relaunch major international events, leaving some fans worried.

If the build goes wrong before race weekend, organisers have not ruled out cancellation, and Imola in Italy is on call as an emergency option if needed.

The October date is seen as a reopening for Southeast Asian motorsport, though the road to race day remains conditional on funding and work going to plan.

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

Fans across the region will be keen to see if it really happens as the countdown to race day continues.