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 hold the race in April at Bahrain's own Sakhir venue fell through due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, prompting organizers to strike a deal that relocates the event to Malaysia. The last time Malaysia saw a Formula 1 race was in 2017, a weekend that ended with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen taking the checkered flag. Sepang, with its fast‑flowing layout, has long been praised as one of the finest tracks from the newer generation of circuits, combining high‑speed straights with a variety of challenging corners.
This race forms 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 under two tenths. While Kimi Antonelli managed a respectable fifth place after a qualifying crash, the points gap to the leader has narrowed to 66 with eight races left. Lewis Hamilton now trails by 103 points and Lando Norris by 116, though McLaren are expected to be strong contenders on Sepang’s high‑speed surface.
Malaysia operates seven hours ahead of the United Kingdom, but the timing of the key sessions works conveniently for UK fans. Qualifying will be broadcast at 9 am on Saturday and the Grand Prix at 8 am on Sunday on Sky Sports F1, making it possible to watch the action over a typical weekend breakfast.
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 Formula 1.
Its debut Grand Prix in 1999 set a new benchmark for what modern F1 venues should offer, featuring a blend of medium‑speed sweepers, high‑speed bends, and long straights that feed into heavy braking zones. Key sections of the lap include the flowing curve from Turn 3 into the right‑hand Turn 4, the rapid left‑right sequence of Turns 5 and 6, and the technical final sector that leads onto a half‑mile back straight before the hairpin at the final corner. These elements test both driver skill and car aerodynamics, making Sepang a favourite among the paddock.
The tropical climate adds another layer of complexity. Expect high heat, humidity, and the ever‑present possibility of sudden thunderstorms.
In Malaysia, sunshine can flip to a torrential downpour within minutes, so teams will need to keep their weather radar teams on high alert throughout the weekend. Could 2026 finally deliver a wet qualifying session or a rain‑soaked race? **Weekend schedule (all times local, GMT+8)** - **Thursday, 1 October** – 7 am: Drivers' press conference; 10 am: Paddock Uncut.
- **Friday, 2 October** – 5 am (session starts 5:30 am): Practice 1; 7:30 am: Team bosses' press conference; 8:45 am (session starts 9 am): Practice 2; 10:15 am: The F1 Show. - **Saturday, 3 October** – 5:15 am (session starts 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 are also simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event. **How to watch** - **TV**: Sky Sports F1 will carry the entire weekend, from Friday's first practice through to the Sunday race. - **App**: Sky customers can stream via the Sky Sports app, with an option to follow any driver’s onboard feed. - **Streaming**: Non‑Sky viewers can access the action through NOW, either with a day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month subscription.
- **Live blog**: For those on the move, a dedicated F1 live‑blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates. - **Highlights**: Sky Sports app will post race highlights shortly after the checkered flag. **Sky Sports subscriber benefits** - Access to Sky iD support for account setup.
- NOW streaming service includes all 12 Sky Sports channels, Sky Sports+ streams, and more, compatible with over 60 devices. - Contract‑free options allow users to cancel at any time, with both daily and monthly membership plans available.
For the first time since 2017, Formula 1 will once again roar through the streets of Malaysia, this time under the banner of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Fans can catch every moment live from Friday morning on Sky Sports F1, or stream via NOW without a long‑term contract.
The blend of high‑speed racing, challenging corners, and unpredictable tropical weather promises an unforgettable weekend for both drivers and spectators alike.