BUDAPEST, Hungary — The Malaysian Grand Prix has emerged as a potential option to return to the Formula 1 calendar this year between rounds in Azerbaijan and Singapore.F1 has been exploring options to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix to the calendar after calling off the race, originally scheduled for April 12, due to the outbreak of the Iran war.They also cancelled the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to take place one week later, provisionally dropping the calendar to 22 races.The ceasefire between the United States and Iran did boost hopes of getting Bahrain back on the schedule, with the most likely slot lying in the gap between the races in Azerbaijan on September 26 and Singapore on October 11.But a recent resumption of hostilities in the Middle East has led to fresh uncertainty over getting Bahrain back on the calendar in that gap.Multiple sources have indicated to The Athletic, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect relationships, that a return to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia has now emerged as an option to go into that gap. The circuit on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur would be well-placed geographically for paddock ahead of the race in Singapore, which is less than one hour away by plane.The Malaysian Grand Prix was a mainstay on the F1 calendar between 1999 and 2017, only for Sepang to then drop off the schedule due to concerns about the financial viability of the event moving forward. Max Verstappen won the final edition of the race at Sepang.The track was widely liked by F1 drivers through its time on the calendar, and has continued to host top-line international motorsport events including MotoGP, F1’s equivalent for motorcycle racing, since its final grand prix. The track still holds an FIA ‘Grade 1’ license required to host F1.Although Malaysia is one consideration to boost the 2026 calendar if required, no agreement has been made nor has any final decision been taken.The FIA World Endurance Championship, the premier sports car racing series, is poised to scrap its plans to return to the region later this year. WEC’s postponed season-opener in Qatar had been rescheduled to October 24 before hosting its final round in Bahrain on November 7.But neither of these races are set to go ahead due to ongoing instability in the region, with an announcement is anticipated in the coming days confirming the final two rounds of the season will instead be held in at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain and at Monza in Italy.F1 has a further two races planned in the Middle East to conclude its season. The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29 ahead of the finale in Abu Dhabi, part of the United Arab Emirates, on December 6.The longer lead time ahead of both events and freight demands mean that F1 can likely wait until the end of September to make a call on these races, giving further time for a possible de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East.Derek Chang, the CEO of F1’s parent company, Liberty Media, said in May the sport would be “thoughtful in our approach” over any possible rescheduling, noting the possible financial impact of losing races from the calendar would “not change our confidence in the sport’s long-term trajectory.”