F1 BAHRAIN/MALAYSIA GRAND PRIX WEEKEND 02/10/2026 – 04/10/2026 (PHOTO – THE SEPANG CIRCUIT, MALAYSIA)

F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia schedule: Start times and TV coverage (BY THE INDEPENDENT) – Story by Kieran Jackson

Formula 1 returns to a fan-favourite circuit this weekend as the Sepang circuit in Malaysia hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix in a one-off event.

George Russell got his season back on track with a first victory in three months at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last time out, pipping Max Verstappen to the line to narrow the deficit on championship leader and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli to 66 points.

Antonelli, who crashed out of qualifying, recovered from the back of the grid to finish fifth while Isack Hadjar joined Verstappen on the podium on a positive day for Red Bull. However, it was a tricky day for McLaren and Ferrari, who both struggled for form and pace.

As for this weekend, Bahrain’s original grand prix date in April was cancelled due to the war in the Middle East. The Gulf country have, however, opted to pay the hosting fees to have their name attached to Sepang’s return to the calendar for the first time in nine years this weekend.

See below for all the info regarding the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia:

When is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
Times BST

Friday 2 October

Free practice 1: 5:30am
Free practice 2: 9am
Saturday 3 October

Free practice 3: 5:30am
Qualifying: 9am
Sunday 4 October
Race: 8am

How can I watch it online and on TV?
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 6:30am (BST).

Related video: Which drivers have won the most Malaysian F1 races? (F1 Chronicle)

F1 Chronicle
Which drivers have won the most Malaysian F1 races?
In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session is streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch, then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.

Driver standings ahead of Bahrain GP in Malaysia
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 302 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 236 points

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 199 points

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 186 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 179 points

6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 163 points

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 120 points

8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 86 points

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 59 points

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 41 points

11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 37 points

12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 27 points

13. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 20 points

14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 10 points

15. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 7 points

16. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 7 points

17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 7 points

18. Alex Albon (Williams) – 5 points

19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 3 points

20. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1 point

21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0 points

22. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points

23. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 points

Driver standings ahead of Bahrain GP in Malaysia
1. Mercedes – 538 points

2. Ferrari – 378 points

3. McLaren – 306 points

4. Red Bull – 263 points

5. Racing Bulls – 83 points

6. Alpine – 68 points

7. Haas – 27 points

8. Audi – 17 points

9. Williams – 12 points

10. Aston Martin – 3 points

11. Cadillac – 0 points

What is the 2026 race calendar?
ROUND 16 – MALAYSIA/BAHRAIN
Sepang International Circuit – 2-4 October

ROUND 17 – SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)
Marina Bay Street Circuit – 9-11 October

ROUND 18 – UNITED STATES
Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 23-25 October

ROUND 19 – MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – 30 October-1 November

ROUND 20 – BRAZIL
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 6-8 November

ROUND 21 – LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit – 19-21 November

ROUND 22 – QATAR
Lusail International Circuit – 27-29 November

ROUND 23 – ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit – 4-6 December