Bahrain Moves Entire F1 Race 6,000 km to Malaysia Amid Iran Conflict

Bahrain relocated its entire Formula 1 Grand Prix event over 6,000 kilometers to Malaysia due to the ongoing Iran conflict, transforming Sepang into a Bahrain home race with over 100,000 tickets sold. The two-month preparation involved two chartered Gulf Air flights carrying paddock furniture, catering equipment, and over 500 officials and workers. Organizers replicated Bahrain's hospitality, including identical team contacts and a traditional Wednesday barbecue, with Bahrain covering most of the entry fee. Friday attendance of 70,000 overwhelmed infrastructure, causing water shortages and traffic jams, which organizers addressed for Saturday. Sheikh Salman called the move a chance to open the race to Southeast Asian markets, with ticket sales for 2027 already underway.