F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
What time the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia starts, plus the full Sepang schedule, weather forecast and how to watch live for free
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Formula 1 heads into Sunday at Sepang with Max Verstappen on pole after dominating qualifying for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
The Red Bull driver topped all three qualifying sessions to claim his first pole position of the 2026 season and his first since the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP. Verstappen’s final lap put him 0.298s clear of Lewis Hamilton, who will start alongside him on the front row for Ferrari.
Isack Hadjar qualified third but will drop five places after taking a new internal combustion engine outside his allocation. That promotes championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid, ahead of Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. George Russell starts seventh, with Hadjar dropping to eighth.
Sepang’s heat, abrasive surface and persistent threat of rain could make strategy especially important on Sunday, while the two long straights will also put energy deployment under pressure throughout the race.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
How can I watch the F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia?
Broadcast coverage of Formula 1 varies by region. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports continues as the championship’s exclusive broadcaster, showing every session live throughout the 2026 season. F1 coverage can also be streamed via Sky Go or NOW, with highlights available free-to-air on Channel 4.
In the United States, Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season and will make the entire Bahrain GP in Malaysia weekend available to stream free of charge. No active Apple TV subscription is required to watch any of the on-track sessions.
F1 TV remains the series’ global subscription streaming service.
Motorsport.com will provide live coverage and updates throughout the Bahrain GP in Malaysia weekend.
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia Sunday schedule
Times local to Sepang:
Sunday, October 4 — 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — 3:00pm MYT
For UK viewers:
Sunday, October 4 — 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — 8:00am BST
For US Eastern Time viewers:
Sunday, October 4 — 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — 3:00am ET
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia full weekend schedule
All times local to Sepang:
- Friday, October 2 — free practice 1 — 12:30pm MYT
- Friday, October 2 — free practice 2 — 4:00pm MYT
- Saturday, October 3 — free practice 3 — 12:30pm MYT
- Saturday, October 3 — qualifying — 4:00pm MYT
- Sunday, October 4 — 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — 3:00pm MYT
Bahrain GP in Malaysia Sunday weather forecast
Sunday is expected to remain hot and humid at Sepang, with the possibility of thunderstorms during the day.
Rain has threatened throughout the weekend without affecting a session so far, but Sepang’s tropical conditions mean teams will still need to be prepared for rapidly changing weather around the race.
Even in dry conditions, high temperatures and humidity should make tyre degradation and cooling important factors. Sepang’s abrasive surface has already presented a challenge through practice and qualifying, adding another strategic consideration over a full race distance.
Bahrain GP in Malaysia track facts
- Circuit: Sepang International Circuit
- Location: Sepang, Malaysia
- Event: Bahrain GP in Malaysia
- Circuit type: permanent road course
- Friday sessions: free practice 1 and free practice 2
- Saturday sessions: free practice 3 and qualifying
- Race: Sunday, October 4
Sepang combines medium- and high-speed corners with two long straights, making it a major test of aerodynamic balance, tyre management and energy deployment.
2026 Formula 1 driver and team roster
Photos from Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia - Saturday
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Saturday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
F1 Singapore GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Lewis Hamilton: Younger F1 drivers are “more and more cautious” about racing in rain
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
Ferrari’s Vigna on Vasseur and fake news: “There is only one reality”
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
Charles Leclerc: Ferrari must learn from Red Bull to improve F1 race strategy
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
Spire places Chris Gabehart on administrative leave; JGR claims proof of wrongdoing
Jorge Martin: “I’d sign right now to secure MotoGP title with just one grand prix win”
2026 MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
How to watch NASCAR at Charlotte II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments