After a nine‑year hiatus, Formula 1 is set to return to the celebrated Sepang International Circuit, with Malaysia stepping in to host the Bahrain Grand Prix. The original plan to run the race at Bahrain's Sakhir venue in April was abandoned due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, prompting organizers to strike a deal that relocates the event to the fast, flowing track in Kuala Lumpur.
Sepang last featured on the F1 calendar in 2017, a year that saw Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claim victory on a circuit that many drivers and fans regard as one of the finest examples of the modern‑era Grand Prix venues. The circuit’s blend of long straights, high‑speed corners and heavy braking zones makes it a true test of both car performance and driver skill.
The Malaysian round will serve as the second leg of the season’s opening overseas triple‑header, following a dramatic showdown in Baku where George Russell revived his championship aspirations by edging Verstappen by just two‑tenths of a second. Kimi Antonelli, who recovered from a qualifying crash to finish fifth, saw his championship lead shrink to 66 points with eight races left, while Lewis Hamilton trails by 103 points and Lando Norris by 116 points. Despite the points gap, McLaren are expected to be competitive at Sepang’s high‑speed layout.
Time‑zone differences mean that UK viewers will enjoy a convenient breakfast‑time slot on Sky Sports F1: qualifying kicks off at 9:00 am on Saturday and the race itself starts at 8:00 am on Sunday, seven hours ahead of Malaysian local time. This early‑morning schedule is ideal for fans who want to watch live action without staying up late.
Drivers have expressed genuine excitement about the return to Sepang, and the enthusiasm is understandable. The 3.44‑mile (5.54‑km) circuit was the first brand‑new track designed by Hermann Tilke, the architect now permanently attached to the sport. Its inaugural Grand Prix in 1999 set a new benchmark for what a Formula 1 venue could offer, combining technical sections with overtaking opportunities that have become a template for future circuits. Sepang’s 15‑corner layout quickly won over the paddock thanks to its mix of medium‑speed sweeps and high‑speed sequences, as well as the classic long straights that feed into wide, heavy‑braking zones.
Highlights include the sweeping, curved run from Turn Three into the right‑hand Turn Four, the rapid left‑right flick of Turns Five and Six, and the technical, flowing corners of the final sector that lead onto a half‑mile back straight before the final hairpin turn. These features demand a balanced aerodynamic setup and place a premium on driver confidence.
The tropical climate adds another layer of complexity. Malaysia’s heat and humidity are relentless, and the ever‑present threat of sudden thunderstorms means teams must stay alert to rapidly changing conditions. One minute the track can be blazing hot and dry, the next a torrential downpour can appear, turning the circuit into a slippery challenge. This raises the question: will 2026 finally deliver a wet qualifying session or a rain‑affected Grand Prix at Sepang?
**Weekend Schedule** - **Thursday, 1 October** – 7:00 am: Drivers’ press conference; 10:00 am: Paddock Uncut. - **Friday, 2 October** – 5:00 am: First practice (official start 5:30 am); 7:30 am: Team bosses’ press conference; 8:45 am: Second practice (official start 9:00 am); 10:15 am: The F1 Show. - **Saturday, 3 October** – 5:15 am: Third practice (official start 5:30 am); 8:00 am: Qualifying build‑up; 9:00 am: Qualifying. - **Sunday, 4 October** – 6:30 am: Grand Prix build‑up; 8:00 am: The Bahrain Grand Prix (held at Sepang); 10:00 am: Chequered‑flag reaction.
All sessions are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. **How to Watch** - **Television**: Sky Sports F1 will carry every session from the first practice on Friday morning through to the race on Sunday at 8:00 am UK time. - **App**: Sky customers can stream live coverage via the Sky Sports app, with the added feature of selecting any driver’s onboard camera for a personalised view.
- **Streaming**: Non‑Sky viewers can access the action through NOW, either with a day‑pass or a flexible month‑to‑month subscription that can be cancelled at any time. - **Live Blog**: For those on the move, a dedicated F1 live‑blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates throughout the weekend. - **Highlights**: Short after the checkered flag, highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app for quick re‑watching.
**Sky Sports Subscriber Benefits** - Access to Sky iD support for account setup. - NOW streaming service gives instant entry to all twelve Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+ streams on over 60 devices, with contract‑free options that let users cancel whenever they wish. - Choose between a month‑long or day‑long membership, with current pricing displayed on the NOW website. In summary, the Bahrain Grand Prix’s relocation to Sepang marks a significant moment for the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
The combination of a world‑class circuit, early‑morning UK broadcast times, and flexible viewing options across TV, app and streaming platforms ensures that fans can experience the excitement wherever they are. Whether you are a die‑hard follower tracking every point battle or a casual viewer looking for a thrilling start‑to‑the‑day race, the Malaysian‑hosted Bahrain Grand Prix promises high‑speed drama, strategic intrigue and the ever‑present possibility of rain‑induced chaos on a track that has become a modern classic.