Formula 1 set to welcome back Grand Prix not held since 2017 later this year

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Formula 1 will reportedly announce the reintroduction of a Malaysia-based race during the 2026 season.The Sepang International Circuit has not held a Grand Prix on the F1 calendar since 2017, but is on course for a comeback later on this year.F1 is set to return to Malaysia in 2026GettyAccording to the BBC, it looks set to host a race from October 2 to 4.It will be presented as the Bahrain Grand Prix after the original race was cancelled in March.Due to the conflict in the Middle East, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were scrapped amid safety concerns.They were scheduled to take place on April 12 and 19 respectively, but the cancellations meant there was no racing that month.As it stands, the season-ending Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are still set to take place despite the ongoing tensions.Who has won a Malaysian Grand Prix?F1 first touched down at the 3.4 mile Sepang circuit in 1999, shortly after its construction was completed.Eddie Irvine was the inaugural winner with Ferrari, who then won the next three editions thanks to the legendary Michael Schumacher.Renault later claimed back-to-back victories in 2005 and 2006 with Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella.Former world champion Sebastian Vettel then won three out of four races from 2010 to 2013 during his iconic stint with Red Bull.Max Verstappen was the last driver to win in 2017 with Red Bull with what was just the second of his 71 Grand Prix victories to date.Verstappen was the last driver to take the chequered flag in MalaysiaGettyThe 2026 F1 season so farKimi Antonelli currently leads the drivers’ standings with 204 points after six wins from ten races, most recently in Belgium.The Mercedes star is followed by their former world champion Lewis Hamilton on 159, whilst fellow Brit George Russell has 154.Mercedes top the constructors’ rankings on 358, with Ferrari and McLaren banking 285 and 195 respectively.Sunday brings the Hungarian Grand Prix, and it’s reigning champion Lando Norris who will start in pole.Hamilton could have started alongside him on the front row, but will be in fifth after a three-place penalty for blocking Oscar Piastri.His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is the man to replace him there.