Update, 1 October 2026: Formula 1’s official timetable lists the Malaysia-hosted Bahrain round at Sepang for 2-4 October, and F1 has published the weekend timetable. The 26 July announcement described the arrangement as subject to final agreements and World Motor Sport Council approval; this update reports the current calendar listing and does not infer a separate sign-off notice.
Formula 1 and the FIA announced that Malaysia would host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. The official event page uses the “Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia” name. Bahrain is the event identity; Sepang is the venue.
Check Bettista’s race calendar for the surrounding schedule, including the existing Azerbaijan Grand Prix preview. Formula 1 lists the next round as the Singapore Grand Prix, 9-11 October.
Official F1 weekend timetable
All times below are local track time in Sepang (Kuala Lumpur is UTC+8). Formula 1 notes that the timetable is subject to change.
| Date | F1 session | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 2 October | Practice 1 | 12:30-13:30 |
| Friday 2 October | Practice 2 | 16:00-17:00 |
| Saturday 3 October | Practice 3 | 12:30-13:30 |
| Saturday 3 October | Qualifying | 16:00-17:00 |
| Sunday 4 October | Grand Prix, 56 laps (or 120 minutes) | 15:00-17:00 scheduled window |
The F1 timetable also lists Formula Trophy Malaysia support sessions, a drivers’ parade and the national anthem; those are separate from the Formula 1 track sessions above. Consult the official full timetable for their latest times.
Sepang circuit facts
Formula 1 lists Sepang as a 5.543-kilometre circuit, with 56 laps and a 310.417-kilometre Grand Prix distance. Its first Formula 1 Grand Prix was in 1999. F1 describes a wide layout with long straights, heavy-braking zones and a mix of fast, flowing corners; it highlights the sweep through Turns 5 and 6 and the final hairpin at Turn 15.
F1 also notes Sepang’s heat and humidity and the possibility of sudden tropical downpours. Those are venue characteristics, not a race-day weather forecast. No specific weather, tyre choice or strategy prediction is included here.
Where this round sits
The official 2026 calendar places Azerbaijan immediately before this round and Singapore immediately after it. For current dates and any schedule changes, use the Formula 1 calendar and Bettista’s maintained race calendar.
