Key Highlights
- The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia takes place at Sepang International Circuit on Sunday, October 4, with the race starting at 1500 local time.
- George Russell reduced Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli’s lead in the drivers’ standings to 66 points after winning in Azerbaijan.
- Fans can watch every session through F1 TV Pro, F1 TV Premium, or follow live timing on F1.com and the F1 app.
2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Session Start Times
Formula 1 heads to Sepang this weekend for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with the event forming the 16th round of the 2026 season. The race will be held on Sunday, October 4, following practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday.
Free Practice 1 begins at 1230 local time on Friday, October 2, followed by Free Practice 2 at 1600. Free Practice 3 starts at 1230 on Saturday, October 3, before Qualifying gets underway at 1600. The Grand Prix itself starts at 1500 on Sunday, October 4.
Fans can consult the global start-time schedule for Sunday’s race to find the corresponding time in their region.
George Russell Leads Mercedes Challenge After Azerbaijan Victory
George Russell produced a dominant performance in Azerbaijan last weekend to claim victory and cut the gap to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli in the drivers’ standings to 66 points.
The result raises the question of whether Mercedes can secure another win in Malaysia. Max Verstappen will also be seeking his first victory of the 2026 season after narrowly missing out in Baku.
How to Watch the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Live coverage of every session is available through F1 TV Pro in selected countries. The service provides exclusive access to onboard cameras from all 22 drivers’ cars, along with Pre-Race and Post-Race Shows.
F1 TV Pro can be streamed through Apple TV, Chromecast Generation 2 and above, Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku. The service is free of ad breaks and offers commentary in six languages.
F1 TV Premium provides additional viewing features, including 4K Ultra HD/HDR coverage on up to six devices and a personalised Multiview option on selected devices. Multiview offers 26 different feeds to choose from.
Subscribers can watch every F1 Grand Prix, F1 Sprint, Qualifying session, and practice session live in 4K Ultra HD/HDR at home. The platform also carries live F2, F3, F1 ACADEMY, and Porsche Supercup sessions.
Alternatively, live timing will be available throughout every session of the Grand Prix weekend on F1.com and through the F1 app.
Sepang International Circuit Hosts the Malaysian Event
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will take place at the Sepang International Circuit, which last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2017. The venue first joined the F1 calendar in 1999.
The event was moved to a new date after this year’s earlier Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed. Sepang will now welcome the championship for the season’s 16th round.
The circuit combines fast, flowing sections with long straights, while its intense heat and high humidity are expected to test the drivers’ fitness. Max Verstappen won the last Formula 1 race held at the Malaysian venue. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have also previously finished on the top step there.
Sepang Weather Forecast for the Grand Prix Weekend
Current conditions point to a warm and humid weekend for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with sunny spells, light winds, and a chance of rain showers.
Sepang is known for high humidity and thunderstorms that can develop quickly and produce heavy rain at short notice, creating a potential additional challenge for teams and drivers across the weekend.
Why This Matters
The Sepang event combines a key championship opportunity with a return to a circuit that has not hosted Formula 1 since 2017. George Russell’s victory in Azerbaijan has tightened the battle with Kimi Antonelli, while Max Verstappen’s continued search for a first win of the season adds another major storyline to the weekend.
The circuit’s long straights, flowing layout, heat, humidity, and risk of sudden thunderstorms could all influence the competitive picture. With the postponed Bahrain event now serving as the 16th round, practice, qualifying, and weather conditions will be important ahead of Sunday’s race.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
The race starts at 1500 local time on Sunday, October 4, at Sepang International Circuit.
How can fans watch the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
Fans can watch live coverage of every session on F1 TV Pro in selected countries or use F1 TV Premium for expanded 4K Ultra HD/HDR and Multiview features. Live timing will also be available on F1.com and the F1 app.
What is the weather expected to be like at Sepang?
The forecast is currently warm and humid, with sunny spells, light winds, and a chance of rain showers. Thunderstorms may develop quickly and bring heavy rain.
