Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Every time F1 raced under another country's name

The announcement that the premier motorsport series would stage an event in Malaysia under the Bahraini banner was met with a blend of amusement and confusion within the global motorsport community. Sepang, a cornerstone of modern F1 circuit design by Hermann Tilke, first joined the calendar in 1999, establishing Malaysia as a significant fixture in Asia. Even after the country’s contract with Formula One Management (FOM) concluded in 2017, the circuit has retained considerable popularity among fans, with persistent calls for its reincorporation into the schedule amidst ongoing debates concerning the proliferation of new street circuits. Its strategic location adjacent to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia’s principal international gateway, further underscores Sepang’s prominence as a national sporting landmark, making the Bahrain Grand Prix branding an undeniably unusual proposition.

This unconventional arrangement stems from the geopolitical complexities of the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the US/Israel and Iran. These regional tensions have rendered Bahrain unable to host its allocated Grand Prix within its own borders, yet it retains the crucial commercial naming rights. Consequently, the event will be relocated to a suitable alternative venue, in this case, Sepang. While the specific circumstances of the Malaysia/Bahrain agreement present a unique scenario in some respects, the practice of Formula 1 staging races under the name of a different country is not without precedent, echoing several curious chapters in the sport’s history.

The Enduring Legacy of the San Marino Grand Prix

Perhaps the most renowned example of a Grand Prix bearing the name of a foreign nation is the San Marino Grand Prix. Inaugurated in 1981, this race was ostensibly named after the tiny, landlocked microstate of San Marino, despite being held entirely within Italy at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. The circuit, nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region, had already played host to the Italian Grand Prix in 1980 when the traditional Monza circuit was undergoing essential refurbishment and was temporarily unavailable. Upon Monza’s return to the calendar the following year, a distinct nomenclature was required to differentiate the two Italian-based events, thus giving birth to the San Marino Grand Prix.

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The San Marino GP became a staple of the F1 calendar for 26 years, from 1981 to 2006, producing numerous iconic races and unforgettable moments. It was at Imola where Ayrton Senna famously secured his final pole position in 1994, tragically losing his life during the race, an event that profoundly reshaped Formula 1 safety regulations. Michael Schumacher, a seven-time world champion, achieved a record seven victories at Imola, cementing his dominance at the circuit. Other notable winners included Alain Prost (3 wins) and Damon Hill (3 wins). The circuit itself, with its challenging layout and fast corners like Tamburello (later modified), Rivazza, and Acque Minerali, was a favourite among drivers and fans alike.

When the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari made a poignant return to the F1 calendar in 2020 amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, calendar adjustments necessitated yet another identity for the Italian circuit. The race was rebranded as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a direct reference to the region of Italy in which Imola is situated. This evolution means that Imola holds the distinction of having hosted Formula 1 championship races under three separate identities: the Italian Grand Prix, the San Marino Grand Prix, and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a testament to its enduring significance in F1 history and the flexibility of Grand Prix naming conventions.

The Brief Reign of the Luxembourg Grand Prix

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small European nation, possesses only one permanent motor racing circuit, which has never met the stringent standards required for Formula 1 events. This facility is primarily utilized by its owner, Goodyear, for driver training and has seen its highest-profile motorsport event in the form of a TCR race in 2016. Despite this, the name "Luxembourg Grand Prix" appeared on the Formula 1 calendar on two occasions in the late 1990s.

Both races were, in fact, held at the illustrious Nürburgring in Germany, approximately 80 kilometres from the Luxembourg border. This period coincided with a dramatic surge in Formula 1’s popularity in Germany, largely driven by the unparalleled success of Michael Schumacher. His multiple world championships propelled the sport to unprecedented heights within the country, creating demand for more German-based events.

From 1995, Germany began hosting two rounds of the World Championship. The event at Hockenheimring maintained its traditional title as the German Grand Prix. The second German race, held at the Nürburgring, was initially branded as the European Grand Prix. However, in 1997, the naming rights for the European Grand Prix were acquired by the Circuito de Jerez in Spain, leaving the Nürburgring without a suitable title for its F1 fixture. To circumvent this, the race at the Nürburgring was ingeniously branded as the Luxembourg Grand Prix for two consecutive years: 1997 and 1998.

The 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix was won by Jacques Villeneuve for Williams, a crucial victory in his championship-winning season. The 1998 edition saw Mika Häkkinen triumph for McLaren, also a significant win in his successful bid for the drivers’ title that year. Both races were pivotal moments in intense championship battles. From 1999 onwards, the Nürburgring organizers successfully reclaimed the European Grand Prix branding, and the Luxembourg name subsequently vanished from the F1 calendar, making its two-year tenure a fleeting yet notable footnote in the sport’s geographical quirks.

The Exiled Swiss Grand Prix

Switzerland holds a foundational place in Formula 1’s early history, serving as one of the original world championship venues. The Bremgarten circuit near Bern hosted Grand Prix races between 1950 and 1954. Prior to the establishment of the official World Championship, Switzerland had already been a host for major motorsport events, with legendary manufacturers like Auto Union (now Audi) and Mercedes-Benz dominating the early editions of the Swiss Grand Prix in the 1930s and 1940s.

However, this rich motorsport tradition was abruptly halted following the devastating Le Mans disaster in France in 1955, which prompted Switzerland to implement a nationwide ban on circuit racing on safety grounds. Over the subsequent decades, the historic Bremgarten track was reclaimed by nature, and competitive motor racing did not officially return to Swiss soil until Formula E made a historic visit to Zurich in 2018, operating under a special exemption for electric vehicles.

Despite the ban, the "Swiss Grand Prix" title was resurrected for two motor races held outside Switzerland’s borders between 1955 and 2018. A non-championship F1 race was held at the Dijon-Prenois circuit in France under the Swiss Grand Prix title in 1975. This event was later elevated to full points-paying championship status when it returned in 1982, once again held at Dijon. It was at this 1982 Swiss Grand Prix that Keke Rosberg, driving for Williams, secured the singular victory of his remarkable title-winning campaign, a testament to his consistent performances throughout that season.

Earlier this year, Switzerland took a significant step by entirely lifting its long-standing ban on motorsport, expanding beyond the previous exemption granted for electric racing that allowed Formula E to host successful events in Zurich and Bern. This development opens the door for a potential, genuine return of the Swiss Grand Prix to its homeland, should a suitable circuit be developed or adapted to modern F1 standards.

The 2016 European Grand Prix: A Transcontinental Conundrum

The 2016 European Grand Prix stands out as another geographical anomaly, even if it did not technically operate under the banner of a distinct country. When Formula 1 made its eagerly anticipated debut on the brand-new street circuit of Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2016, the event was controversially branded as the European Grand Prix rather than the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Azerbaijan is widely recognized as a transcontinental country, straddling both Europe and Asia. However, its capital city, Baku, is geographically located east of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, a region predominantly regarded as part of Asia. The decision to label the race as the European Grand Prix therefore struck many as unusual, particularly given the historical context of previous European Grand Prix events, which had traditionally been staged at undeniably European circuits such as Donington Park in the UK, Jerez in Spain, the Nürburgring in Germany, and Valencia in Spain.

The inaugural race in Baku saw Nico Rosberg, driving for Mercedes-Benz, clinch a dominant victory, which proved crucial in his eventual championship triumph that year. The circuit itself, winding through the historic streets of Baku and alongside the Caspian Sea, was praised for its unique blend of fast sections and tight, technical corners.

The perceived geographical misnomer was short-lived. From the 2017 season onwards, the Baku race adopted the more appropriate and locally relevant title of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a moniker it has consistently used to date. This change brought the race’s identity in line with its geographical reality, ending a brief but memorable period of ambiguity for the F1 calendar.

These historical precedents underscore that while the current Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia might seem perplexing, Formula 1 has a long-established tradition of adapting its calendar and nomenclature to overcome logistical, political, or commercial challenges, often resulting in races that defy strict geographical definitions. The sport’s dynamic nature ensures that such intriguing arrangements remain a recurring, albeit unusual, feature of its global footprint.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Every time F1 raced under another country’s name

The Enduring Legacy of the San Marino Grand Prix