After a nine‑year hiatus, Formula 1 is set to return to the celebrated Sepang International Circuit, this time staging the Bahrain Grand Prix on Malaysian soil. The original Bahrain event, normally held at the Sakhir circuit in April, was forced to relocate because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, prompting organizers to strike a deal that moves the race to Malaysia. Sepang last welcomed a Formula 1 weekend in 2017, a race that saw Red Bull’s Max Verstappen take the checkered flag. The track, renowned for its fast, flowing layout, is widely regarded as one of the most exciting additions to the newer generation of circuits.
Its blend of high‑speed straights and challenging corner complexes makes it a favourite among drivers and fans alike. The Malaysian round will be the second event in what is being billed as the season’s opening "fly‑away" triple‑header, following the dramatic showdown in Baku where George Russell revived his championship hopes by edging Verstappen by less than two‑tenths of a second. In the latest standings, Kimi Antonelli managed a respectable fifth place despite a qualifying crash, but his lead over the rest of the field has been trimmed to 66 points with eight races still to run. Lewis Hamilton now trails by 103 points, while Lando Norris sits 116 points behind the leader.
McLaren, however, are expected to be strong contenders on Sepang’s high‑speed configuration. For UK viewers the time difference works in their favour: Sepang operates seven hours ahead of Britain, meaning that the key sessions will air at convenient breakfast‑time slots on Sky Sports F1. Qualifying will be broadcast at 9 am on Saturday, and the Grand Prix itself will kick off at 8 am on Sunday, allowing fans to enjoy the action without staying up late.
The excitement among drivers about returning to Sepang is palpable, and it’s easy to understand why. The 3.44‑mile (5.54‑km) circuit was the first brand‑new track designed by Hermann Tilke after he became the sport’s resident architect. Its debut Grand Prix in 1999 set a new benchmark for what modern F1 venues could offer, combining a sweeping, aerodynamically demanding layout with state‑of‑the‑art facilities. The track quickly earned a reputation for its mix of medium‑speed and high‑speed corner sequences, as well as the now‑standard combination of long straights that feed into wide, heavy‑braking zones.
Key sections of the lap include the long, curved run from Turn Three into the right‑hand Turn Four, the rapid left‑right flicks of Turns Five and Six, and the technically demanding final sector that leads onto a half‑mile back straight before the hairpin at the final turn. These features test both driver skill and car setup, demanding a balance between outright speed and aerodynamic efficiency.
Malaysia’s tropical climate adds another layer of complexity. Expect high temperatures, humidity, and the ever‑present possibility of sudden thunderstorms. The weather can swing from bright sunshine to torrential rain within minutes, meaning teams will need to keep a close eye on their meteorological data and be ready to adjust strategies on the fly.
Could 2026 finally deliver a wet qualifying session or a rain‑affected Grand Prix? Only the Malaysian skies will tell. **Weekend Schedule** - **Thursday, 1 October** – 7 am: Drivers' press conference; 10 am: Paddock Uncut.
- **Friday, 2 October** – 5 am (session starts at 5:30 am): Practice 1; 7:30 am: Team bosses' press conference; 8:45 am (session starts at 9 am): Practice 2; 10:15 am: The F1 Show. - **Saturday, 3 October** – 5:15 am (session starts at 5:30 am): Practice 3; 8 am: Qualifying build‑up; 9 am: Bahrain GP Qualifying. - **Sunday, 4 October** – 6:30 am: Grand Prix build‑up; 8 am: The Bahrain Grand Prix; 10 am: Chequered‑flag reaction.
All sessions marked with an asterisk will also be shown on Sky Sports Main Event. **How to Watch** - **Television:** Sky Sports F1 will carry every session from Friday morning’s first practice through to the Sunday race.
- **App:** Sky customers can stream the coverage via the Sky Sports app, with the added option of following a specific driver’s on‑board feed. - **Streaming:** Non‑Sky viewers can access the race weekend 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:** Sky Sports app users can watch race highlights shortly after the chequered flag.
**Sky Sports Subscriber Benefits** - Guidance on setting up or retrieving your Sky ID. - Access to NOW, an instant streaming service that delivers all 12 Sky Sports channels and every Sky Sports+ stream across more than 60 devices. NOW offers contract‑free membership, allowing you to cancel whenever you wish, with options for daily or monthly passes.
Current pricing details are available on the NOW website. In summary, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will be staged at the Sepang International Circuit, marking Formula 1’s first visit to Malaysia since 2017.
UK fans can enjoy the action live from early Saturday morning through to Sunday morning on Sky Sports F1, with multiple viewing options—including TV, app, and streaming—available to suit any preference. The combination of a world‑class track, a challenging tropical climate, and a tightly contested championship battle promises an unforgettable weekend for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.