It was called the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it took place at Sepang: one of the most unusual logistical operations in Formula 1 saw more than 500 event staff travel from Bahrain to Malaysia to recreate the race thousands of kilometres away from Manama.
The paradox was obvious. Formula 1 travelled roughly 6,000 kilometres to stage a race carrying the name of the small Gulf kingdom. For comparison, Imola is around 3,890 kilometres from Bahrain, meaning an event in Italy would actually have been closer than the Malaysian solution. Yet the experiment ultimately worked, creating one of the most unusual weekends on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Stefano Domenicali remarked that the paddock felt as though Formula 1 were actually in Bahrain. Prince Salman Al Khalifa, however, jokingly pointed out one obvious difference, saying: “It doesn’t rain this much where we are, so you can see the difference.”
More than 500 Bahrain GP staff moved to Sepang
Bahrain effectively transported its entire race organisation to Malaysia. All of the circuit marshals travelled to Sepang together with other members of the organisational staff, bringing the total number of people moved for the event to more than 500.
The combined cost of travel and accommodation was kept confidential. The amount paid to rent the circuit under an agreement with the local government was also not disclosed. Malaysia’s prime minister made a high-profile appearance during the weekend and went onto the podium after the race.
Even the band responsible for performing the two national anthems was flown in on Prince Salman Al Khalifa’s private jet. Bahrain’s anthem was played first, followed by Malaysia’s, and despite the torrential rain the musicians completed both performances without missing a beat.
The unusual operation formed the backdrop to a weekend that brought Formula 1 back to Sepang, with the full event details available in the 2026 Bahrain GP at Sepang circuit and schedule guide.
Bahraini traditions recreated inside the Sepang paddock
The organisers also tried to reproduce elements of Bahrain away from the circuit itself. A pearl hunt was organised in the paddock, with oysters transported all the way from Bahrain. Two members of staff opened them while guests were allowed to choose three oysters each.
If a pearl was discovered, a member of staff would turn it into a specially made piece of jewellery. The activity was supposed to continue throughout the entire weekend, but by Saturday afternoon everything had been used up. Given the Malaysian heat, the leftover oyster waste also created a few uncomfortable moments.
Traffic becomes one of the biggest problems at Sepang
Although the circuit operation itself had effectively been transferred from Bahrain, road traffic and access remained under the control of the local police. That created significant congestion around the venue.
Some members of the Formula 1 community were staying in central Kuala Lumpur, around 50 kilometres from the circuit, and journeys sometimes took more than two and a half hours. Drivers and mechanics were instead based at the Sama-Sama Hotel near the airport, approximately five kilometres from Sepang.
The problems became serious enough for circuit management to issue an apology to the paying fans who had arrived in large numbers for Formula 1’s return to Sepang.
Sepang’s old rain problems return during the race
The circuit itself remained fundamentally unchanged, as did its facilities, access points and catering. One minor improvement was made in the press room toilets, which had received new tiles and sanitary fittings.
More important were the familiar problems that returned once the rain arrived. Standing water and streams across the track failed to drain properly, creating unusual racing lines. Drivers who understood those conditions first were able to gain an advantage, as demonstrated by the battle involving Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris.
The wet conditions became one of the defining aspects of a weekend in which tyre behaviour and track evolution were particularly important. Ferrari’s preparation for those conditions had already been a major talking point ahead of the race, including the choice of Pirelli compounds selected for Sepang and how they suited the SF-26.
Awkward delay during the Sepang podium ceremony
There was another uncomfortable moment during the podium ceremony. Max Verstappen was left waiting for some time while organisers tried to locate the national anthems.
As the delay continued, supporters in the grandstand began singing the familiar Max Verstappen chant. The crowd treated the situation with humour, although the dignitaries waiting on the podium appeared considerably less amused. The resulting scene created general embarrassment, with the clear impression that questions would follow over how the mistake had happened.
Ferrari uses Airbus charter as teams face travel chaos
Transport away from Malaysia produced another complicated logistical operation. Many people, particularly the drivers, organised private flights. Ferrari instead chartered an ITA Airways Airbus A330 to transport the entire team to Sepang.
Other Formula 1 teams travelled through Bangkok, but the severe rainfall there caused major disruption. With large parts of the Thai capital flooded and transport operations badly affected, numerous items of luggage were lost during the connections.
The hope was that those bags would eventually arrive in time for the Singapore Grand Prix. Drivers and teams had already begun arriving there from Monday to prepare for the following Sunday’s race.
Kuala Lumpur transport brings another logistical challenge
Kuala Lumpur itself remains a city familiar with heavy rainfall and flooding. Its name literally refers to a muddy confluence, with kuala meaning estuary or river mouth and lumpur meaning mud.
Traffic has increased considerably compared with Formula 1’s previous visit in 2017, although the city now has more metro services and transport connections. Grab, the ride-hailing service operating in a similar way to Uber, proved particularly popular because it was generally cheaper and reliable.
Prices varied dramatically depending on how transport was arranged. Taking the first available taxi at the airport could cost around 280 Malaysian ringgit, more than €62. Booking through an official desk could reduce the price to approximately 80 ringgit, around €18, while a Grab journey could cost no more than about 60 ringgit, roughly €15.
Organisation became particularly important on Saturday evening and again after Sunday’s race, when the area was heavily congested. Only three shuttle vehicles were operating between the circuit and the accreditation centre, and they were small cars capable of carrying no more than three passengers despite dozens of journalists waiting.
Those forced to arrange private transport sometimes paid 220 ringgit instead of the normal 84-ringgit fare. Payment was required in cash, with no traceable electronic transaction.
The Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang ultimately succeeded as a Formula 1 event, but behind the race itself was an extraordinary logistical exercise: hundreds of staff moved across continents, Bahrain traditions recreated in Malaysia, teams negotiating floods and lost baggage, and a familiar Sepang weather challenge that ensured this unusual Grand Prix felt anything but routine.
Source: Paolo Ciccarone for rmcmotori
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