Formula 1 returns to Malaysia and the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017, with the Kuala Lumpur venue hosting what will officially be the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The weekend runs from Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October and brings one of Formula 1’s most distinctive circuits back onto the championship calendar.
Sepang last hosted a Formula 1 World Championship race in 2017, when Max Verstappen claimed what was then the second victory of his Formula 1 career. Nine years later, the championship returns to the Malaysian venue for an unusual edition of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Ferrari arrives at Sepang looking to end its podium drought
Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrives in Malaysia with a 66-point championship advantage over George Russell, whose objective is straightforward: win and attempt to increase the pressure on the championship leader. The title situation can also be explored through the F1 Championship Points Calculator.
Ferrari, meanwhile, has gone five consecutive Grands Prix without reaching the podium. The Scuderia will hope that Sepang can provide an opportunity to rediscover stronger competitiveness, with the characteristics of the circuit potentially offering the SF-26 a better platform to show its strengths.
The full event will be broadcast live on Sky Sport F1. ScuderiaFans.com will also provide live text coverage throughout every Formula 1 session. The race forms Round 16 of the revised 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
2026 Bahrain GP at Sepang: TV schedule and times in CET
Friday 2 October
- 06:30 – Formula 1 Free Practice 1 – Sky Sport F1, live text coverage on ScuderiaFans.com
- 10:00 – Formula 1 Free Practice 2 – Sky Sport F1, live text coverage on ScuderiaFans.com
Saturday 3 October
- 06:30 – Formula 1 Free Practice 3 – Sky Sport F1, live text coverage on ScuderiaFans.com
- 10:00 – Formula 1 Qualifying – Sky Sport F1, live text coverage on ScuderiaFans.com
Sunday 4 October
- 09:00 – Formula 1 race – Sky Sport F1, live text coverage on ScuderiaFans.com
Sepang International Circuit characteristics
The Sepang International Circuit measures 5.543 kilometres and features 15 corners. The 2026 Grand Prix is scheduled over 56 laps, while the circuit race lap record is 1:34.080, set by Sebastian Vettel in 2017. Formula 1 first raced at Sepang in 1999.
The tyre compounds selected for the weekend are the C2, C3 and C4. The track places particularly high demands on traction, tyre management and aerodynamic performance, while the asphalt itself is highly demanding.
- Traction: 5/5
- Asphalt grip: 5/5
- Asphalt abrasion: 5/5
- Track evolution: 4/5
- Tyre stress: 5/5
- Braking demand: 4/5
- Lateral load: 5/5
- Aerodynamic load: 5/5
The combination of high tyre stress, strong lateral loads and significant aerodynamic demands makes Sepang a particularly complete test of a Formula 1 car. Previous winners, records and historical circuit data can also be explored through the F1 Circuit Records & Statistics section.
