Formula One bosses are in talks with Malaysian Grand Prix organizers to see the Sepang race make a surprise return to the calendar this year as a stand-in event.
Sky Sports F1 understands that F1 was close to announcing the Bahrain Grand Prix back on the schedule in early October, only for the conflict in the Middle East to escalate in recent weeks.
In light of the current situation, F1 is now considering bringing Malaysia into the program on October 4 – between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11.
Sepang Circuit organizers were one of a number of races putting their hand up to stage a Grand Prix this year, with F1 assessing their options.
The desire for Malaysia is also affected by the possibility of the final two races of the season in Qatar (November 29) and Abu Dhabi (December 6) not going ahead.
F1’s options in Europe would be limited at that time of year due to the cold climate with Portugal’s Portimao and Turkey’s Istanbul among the options if neither Middle East race were to happen.
The last Malaysian Grand Prix took place in 2017 and it was known to be 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 teammate Kimi Antonelli, and is open to adding more races to the schedule to make up for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia being canceled earlier this year.
“I would love to have 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 was 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 race, I love racing, I love the fight and I hope if we don’t race in the Middle East there are two replacements. I hope we can maybe find a race between Baku and Singapore. I would be happy to race every weekend if I could.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments over the years at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Sky Sports F1’s Hungarian GP programme
Friday, July 24
8.50: F3 Exercise
10:00: F2 practice
12:00: Hungarian GP Practice One (session starts at 12:30)*
13.55: F3 qualification
15:00: F2 qualifying
3.45pm: Hungarian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
17.15: The F1 show
Saturday 25 July
9:00: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Hungarian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
13.10: F2 Sprint*
14.15: Hungarian GP qualifying build-up*
15:00: HUNGARIAN GP QUALIFICATION*
17:00: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday, July 26
7.35: F3 Feature Race
9.05: Porsche Supercup
10.20: F2 Feature Race
12.30: Hungarian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
14.00: THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX*
16:00: Hungarian medical reaction: Checkered flag*
17:00: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 heads straight to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix with every session live on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime