Bahrain has been praised by Formula One’s team bosses for the “incredible” efforts in putting together the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
The kingdom’s grand prix weekend was originally scheduled to take place in April but had to be put off due to the extraordinary circumstances that have impacted the region and the rest of the world.
But behind the direction of the wise leadership of both Bahrain and Malaysia, and with the backing of F1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA), it was announced in July that the kingdom’s event will be pushing through at Malaysia’s iconic motor racing venue Sepang International Circuit, which was part of F1 until 2017.
“I think incredible job by them,” said Williams team principal James Vowles during the FIA's Friday Press conference at Sepang International Circuit.
“When you walk outside, you can see actually huge amounts of the facilities from Bahrain itself that have been brought here, and it’s impressive to do that at the scale and level that they have done.
“For us, we obviously want to be racing as much as possible, and it’s fantastic that they’re managing this event back onto the calendar in the way it is. So well done to all of them, and hopefully normal service resuming shortly.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vassuer added: “I think it’s showing the commitment of Bahrain vis-a-vis F1.
“It’s something unusual to do the Bahrain Grand Prix somewhere else, but it shows the effort of all the Bahrainis vis-a-vis F1.
"We knew for a long time that it’s like this, that we are always more than welcome when we are going to Manama, but honestly it’s exceptional.”
Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore shared their sentiments. “Really, thank you to [HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa] and all the organisation, Stefano [Domenicali].
"We want to do as many races as possible. This was a fantastic idea.
"It’s a little bit strange, you know, to be in Malaysia, but when you arrive at the airport yesterday, it was ‘Welcome to Bahrain’. So basically, I think it’s a super idea. For us, it’s great to race in Malaysia.”
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