Thunderstorms are forecast throughout the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend at Sepang, potentially giving Formula 1 its first genuinely wet running with the new generation of cars. Heavy rain is expected across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, making the weather one of the biggest variables of the Malaysian weekend.
The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place next weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia after the event could not be held as originally scheduled in April because of the ongoing Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. In order to retain the race on the revised 2026 Formula 1 calendar, organisers found an alternative solution by moving the event away from Sakhir.
Instead of travelling to Bahrain, Formula 1 will now race on the other side of Asia at Sepang, around 6,000 kilometres from the original venue. The relocation gives the drivers a completely different circuit challenge, but it also introduces a dramatically different weather picture.
While the Bahrain International Circuit is located in the desert, where rainfall is rare, conditions in Malaysia can be far more unpredictable. According to forecasts provided by Meteo France, Formula 1 could experience its first sessions of the 2026 season genuinely run in wet conditions.
Sepang has already produced several memorable wet races during its Formula 1 history, and the Malaysian circuit could now host the first Grand Prix of the season significantly affected by rain. Fans can also explore previous winners, Ferrari results and historical venue data through the F1 Circuit Records & Statistics database.
Sepang weather forecast for the 2026 Bahrain GP weekend
Meteo France, which is also used by the FIA for detailed weather information at Formula 1 venues around the world, currently forecasts thunderstorms around Kuala Lumpur throughout the week leading into the Grand Prix.
Friday: heavy afternoon rain expected
Friday is expected to bring a minimum temperature of 24°C and a maximum of 32°C. Winds should be almost absent, with speeds of only around 5 km/h, but the main concern is the rain.
Heavy and persistent rainfall is forecast particularly during the afternoon. With so little wind, the rain could remain over the circuit for an extended period, potentially affecting the opening practice sessions.
Saturday qualifying faces an even greater rain threat
The situation is not expected to improve on Saturday, when qualifying will take place. In fact, conditions could become even more difficult.
While Friday’s rain is primarily expected during the afternoon, thunderstorms on 3 October are forecast to begin around Kuala Lumpur from the morning, or potentially even during the previous night. That could leave the circuit wet from the start of the day’s Formula 1 running.
Heavy rain also forecast for Sunday’s race
Sunday’s race day currently carries a very similar forecast. Temperatures and wind conditions are expected to remain largely unchanged, while heavy rainfall is again predicted. If those conditions materialise, the weather could make the work of both drivers and engineers considerably more complicated, introducing another major variable at a circuit that already represents a very different challenge from Bahrain.
Could Sepang bring the first wet running for the 2026 F1 cars?
This is not the first time during the 2026 season that forecasts have suggested rain. So far, however, the new-generation Formula 1 cars have not been seen on track using wet-weather tyres. With the conditions currently expected at Sepang, the Malaysian weekend could therefore provide the first opportunity to see the green-banded intermediate and blue-banded full wet Pirelli tyres in action with the 2026 cars.
The forecast will remain a key factor heading into the weekend, with Formula 1 now waiting to discover whether Sepang will deliver the first genuinely wet Grand Prix conditions of the new technical era.
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