Budapest: Malaysia could return to the Formula One calendar at short notice this year if the Iran conflict causes more problems, specialist website the-race.com reported on Thursday. Formula One had postponed its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing conflict, initially reducing the calendar from 24 to 22 grands prix, as reported by the German news agency dpa.

According to Nam News Network, Formula One officials are exploring various options should the final two races of the year, scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi, also face cancellation due to the conflict in West Asia. Initially, there was hope to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix for the first weekend in October, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore races, but this now seems unlikely with escalating tensions between the US and Iran. Malaysia and Turkey have emerged as potential hosts for a race on October 4.

Formula One is expected to make a swift decision regarding the proposed October race as the championship enters its mid-season break following this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. Racing is set to resume at the end of August. Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit, which previously hosted the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017, is among the candidates. The venue was dropped from the calendar due to rising hosting costs and sanctioning fees.

Meanwhile, Portugal's Portimo circuit is being considered as a contingency venue for the season finale if the December 6 race in Abu Dhabi cannot proceed. The Qatar Grand Prix would be removed from the calendar in such a scenario. The Algarve circuit last hosted Formula One races in 2020 and 2021 as replacements during the COVID-19 pandemic and is scheduled to return in 2027 and 2028.