A classic Formula 1 circuit has entered the frame to potentially hold a Grand Prix this year, should the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East cause further calendar cancellations.
The crisis in the Gulf began a week after F1 completed pre-season testing in Bahrain, the country being the first to suffer heavy bombing.
With no solution forthcoming, the decision was taken to cancel both its Grand Prix and the following one in Saudi Arabia, triggering a five-week gap in the schedule.
Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still on the calendar to host the penultimate and final rounds respectively, but huge question marks about the races remain.
There has been a plethora of recent speculation regarding potential replacements, with Istanbul and Portimao – both to be on next year’s calendar – slated, along with Imola and a potential second race in Barcelona.
Further reports suggested a double-header in Las Vegas – conjoining a second race onto its already-planned one – to be the season finale, but it appears now that another circuit has entered the fray.
Sepang, the host of the Malaysian Grand Prix between 1999 and 2017, has emerged as a strong possibility for a venue to be wedged in the schedule, with The Race reporting that it could host a Grand Prix after Singapore, due to the close proximity of the two venues.
Races in the region are still slated for both the World Endurance Championship and Formula E, with Qatar and Bahrain still on the calendar in the former, with the opening round of the Gen4 era set for Jeddah in December.
The World Motorsport Council is set for a meeting to decide the future of these races, with F1’s uncertain calendar switches likely to be discussed.
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