Sepang returns to Formula 1 after nine years: that sounds like a long break, but historically speaking, it’s far from the longest hiatus on Google before
Nine years after the last Malaysian Grand Prix to date, the Sepang International Circuit is once again hosting a Formula 1 race – as a ‘stand-in’ for Bahrain, which is unable to hold its Grand Prix at home. Yet other circuits have had to wait considerably longer for their Formula 1 comeback.
Take the Nürburgring, for example: after the ‘premier class’ of motorsport paid a single visit to the Eifel circuit following its refurbishment in 1985, nothing happened for ten years – because the German Grand Prix had by then become established at the Hockenheimring. In 1995, however, the Nürburgring returned, initially as the European Grand Prix and then as the Luxembourg Grand Prix, before later alternating with Hockenheim to once again host the German Grand Prix.
Spa-Francorchamps was even left out of the loop for 13 years: safety concerns forced the circuit operators to carry out refurbishment work in the early 1970s. The Circuit de Spa was shortened from around 14 to around seven kilometres, thereby making it suitable for Formula 1 once more – and Formula 1 made its comeback there.
Some circuits dropped off the Formula 1 calendar several times, only to remain overlooked for a long time: Argentina, for example, dropped out following the end of Juan Manuel Fangio’s career and political unrest, whilst Mexico dropped out following the death of Pedro Rodriguez and ongoing security issues. Both manage to return to the calendar after long hiatuses thanks to the support of financially strong investors.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s successes play a decisive role in bringing an almost forgotten Formula 1 circuit back into the spotlight: 35 years after the last Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort is bringing the ‘premier class’ back to the North Sea coast. However, it will come to an end in 2026, just as it did in 1985: the organisers can no longer (and no longer wish to) afford Formula 1.
The circuits that had to wait nine years or more for their Formula 1 comeback. And this much can be revealed: Mexico and Zandvoort are among the top five.
