What exactly is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
The official title is Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026. The original Bahrain round did not take place in April, and Formula 1 later placed a replacement Bahrain Grand Prix at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. That is why searches for “F1 Malaysia 2026” lead to an event carrying Bahrain in its formal name.
It is now listed as Round 16 of the championship, between Azerbaijan and Singapore. The weekend runs from 2 to 4 October and is the first Formula 1 World Championship visit to Sepang since 2017.
Complete Sepang timetable for Southeast Asia
The official race page now publishes all five sessions. Malaysia and the Philippines share UTC+8; Vietnam and Thailand are one hour behind on UTC+7. UTC is included for international readers.
| Session | Date | Malaysia / Philippines | Vietnam / Thailand | UTC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Fri 2 Oct | 12:30 | 11:30 | 04:30 |
| Practice 2 | Fri 2 Oct | 16:00 | 15:00 | 08:00 |
| Practice 3 | Sat 3 Oct | 12:30 | 11:30 | 04:30 |
| Qualifying | Sat 3 Oct | 16:00 | 15:00 | 08:00 |
| Race | Sun 4 Oct | 15:00 | 14:00 | 07:00 |
Sepang is not one of the six Sprint venues announced for 2026. The presence of FP1, FP2 and FP3 on the official timetable confirms a conventional race weekend.
Ticket status and buying checks
Formula 1’s official ticket store has opened sales for “Bahrain in Malaysia”. The store may place visitors in a virtual queue during busy periods. Prices, seat maps and remaining inventory are live data, so use the official store rather than screenshots or resale listings.
- Confirm that the date reads 2–4 October 2026 and the venue is Sepang.
- Compare hillstand and grandstand sightlines before paying.
- Check whether the price is per day or for the three-day weekend.
- Review currency conversion, delivery method and refund rules.
- Use the circuit’s 2026 access notice for gates and parking when it appears.
Where to watch in Southeast Asia
| Market | Official F1 directory | Local note |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | beIN SPORTS | Astro Sports Pack carries beIN channels |
| Thailand | beIN SPORTS | Check the event-week EPG |
| Philippines | beIN SPORTS | PHT equals Sepang time |
| Vietnam | TV360 | Verify the active F1 package before subscribing |
Channel numbers and app entitlements can change. The broadcaster directory establishes the rights holder; the local EPG remains the source for the exact channel and replay window.
Sepang in five numbers
The historic Formula 1 layout is 5.543 km long. A Grand Prix covers 56 laps and 310.408 km. Formula 1 records Sebastian Vettel’s 1:34.080 from 2017 as the race lap record, while 1999 was the circuit’s first championship Grand Prix. The long straights, heavy braking zones and tropical conditions explain why the return attracts interest well beyond Malaysia.
A rare regional double-header
Singapore follows on 9–11 October as Round 17. For Southeast Asian viewers that creates two consecutive home-time-zone Formula 1 weekends. It does not create a combined ticket: Sepang and Singapore remain separate events, with separate organisers, entry rules and travel plans.
What this page will update next
- Entry list and any reserve-driver practice appearances.
- Support-series timetable and circuit gate times.
- Event-week broadcaster channel numbers.
- Transport, parking and ticket-collection instructions.
- Weather only inside a reliable forecast window.
Continue planning
Use the international sports hub for new events, then compare the regional calendar with the Asian Games 2026 guide and the Premier League control centre.
Formula 1 Malaysia 2026 FAQ
When is Formula 1 racing at Sepang in 2026?
The race weekend is 2–4 October, with the Grand Prix starting at 15:00 Malaysia time on Sunday.
What is the official event name?
Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
Is Sepang a Sprint weekend?
No. The official schedule has three practice sessions, qualifying and the race.
What time is the race in Vietnam and Thailand?
14:00 on Sunday 4 October.
What time is the race in Malaysia and the Philippines?
15:00 on Sunday 4 October.
Are official tickets on sale?
Yes. Formula 1 has an active ticket-store page, with live availability and pricing.
Where can viewers watch?
F1 lists beIN SPORTS for Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, and TV360 for Vietnam.
When did Formula 1 last race at Sepang?
The previous World Championship race at the circuit was in 2017.
Verification sources
- Official Formula 1 race page and timetable
- Official 2026 Formula 1 calendar
- Formula 1 and FIA announcement: Malaysia joins the 2026 calendar
- Official Formula 1 ticket store: Bahrain in Malaysia
- Official Formula 1 broadcast information by territory
- Official Formula 1 2026 Sprint calendar
- PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit official information
Verified 13 August 2026. Timetable values come from the official Formula 1 race page; rights holders come from the official territory directory.
“A fast calendar still needs slow, careful verification.”
Douglas Smith · Owner & editor
