Sepang tops fan poll as the preferred venue to return to the F1 calendar

A recent GPblog poll pinpoints the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang as the clear favourite among fans for a future return to the Formula 1 calendar. With 31% of votes, Sepang outpaces South Africa’s Kyalami (21%) and Germany’s Hockenheim (15%). The poll follows the confirmed comeback of the Turkish Grand Prix in 2027.

Why it matters:

• A revived Sepang could tap into a nostalgic market and expand F1’s Asian footprint.
• Return of historic venues can boost viewership and sponsor interest in regions that have been absent since 2017.
• Fan sentiment influences FIA’s long‑term calendar planning, especially as the schedule reaches capacity.

The details:

• Sepang (Malaysian GP) – 31% of votes, held from 1999‑2017.
• Kyalami (South African GP) – 21%.
• Hockenheim (Germany) – 15%.
• Nürburgring – 10%.
• Imola – 8%.
• Fuji – 5%.
• Magny‑Cours – 1%.
• Other venues (not listed) – 10%.

What's next:

• Istanbul Park returns in 2027, filling one of two new slots created by Zandvoort’s departure and the Spa‑Barcelona rotation.
• With 24 races locked in for 2028, any additional venue must wait until at least 2029, likely when contracts for Portugal, Singapore and Mexico expire.
• If fan demand persists, FIA may adopt a rotation model or carve out a new slot for Sepang when the schedule opens.