MOTORSPORT – THE Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026, to be held in Malaysia this October 4, will be flagging off at 10am, Bahrain time, it was confirmed yesterday.
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) issued yesterday an update of the start times for the 12 remaining rounds of the 2026 FIA F1 World Championship.
The kingdom’s race weekend is to be held at Sepang International Circuit from October 2 to 4. The headlining grand prix on the Sunday of the meeting is set to be held in daytime conditions.
Qualifying the day prior will take place at 11am, to be preceded by the weekend’s third free practice earlier in the day at 7.30am. Free practices one and two on October 2 are scheduled for 7.30am and 11am, respectively. All times are Bahrain.
Malaysia will be hosting the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 following an historic agreement reached between F1, the FIA, and the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia.
The kingdom’s event was originally scheduled to be held in April of this year, but had to be put off due to the unfortunate regional events.
The deal to host Bahrain’s event in Sepang shows the great vision of Bahrain and their enduring commitment to F1 that dates back to the first-ever grand prix in the region in 2004 held in Sakhir, as well as the generosity of Malaysia to make this possible, said a statement issued by F1 and the FIA last month announcing the event’s new dates. It also demonstrates the sport’s ability to adapt quickly and find a way to ensure that fans, partners and the whole ecosystem continue to benefit from an extensive and exciting 2026 schedule, the statement added.
The agreement allows F1 to preserve a grand prix that would otherwise not have happened. The rest of the 2026 season’s schedule remains unchanged, it was also announced at the time.
Sepang is one of F1’s most iconic and challenging circuits, known for its passionate fans, exciting racing, and unpredictable weather, making it an ideal venue to host the Bahrain round of the world championship. The last time Sepang hosted F1 was in 2017, won then by Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen.
The 2026 F1 season is currently on its annual summer break. Action resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix in the Netherlands from August 21 to 23.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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