Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF) president and Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) vice-president for sport (Middle East and North Africa) Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa has highlighted that the BMF’s involvement will focus on a number of key areas to ensure smooth race management throughout the unique Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
Next month’s event will mark the 16th round of the 2026 F1 season.
“Our delegation will cover race operations, race control, marshals, safety and recovery, technical and scrutineering functions, as well as other operational and logistical responsibilities,” Shaikh Abdulla explained.
“We’re currently finalising the operational requirements and determining the number of Bahraini officials needed for the different areas of the event, but the target number of Bahraini marshals who will be participating is around 522.
“The marshals will form an important part of the Bahraini contribution, supporting various operational and trackside functions in accordance with their roles and areas of expertise within the BMF.”
Shaikh Abdulla noted that BMF teams had travelled to SIC in recent weeks to conduct field visits, which he said have been productive and have helped determine all that is necessary for the smooth running of the race weekend.
“Preparations have been ongoing for some time,” Shaikh Abdulla explained. “Our visits to Sepang as part of a continuous programme of preparation have allowed us to study the circuit’s operations, exchange experience with the Malaysian team, and identify the requirements for the race weekend.
“The visits have been extremely valuable. We were able to review the circuit, race control, pit and grid areas, track operations, technical and logistical arrangements, as well as the co-ordination between the different teams.
“The final teams will travel closer to the event to complete the necessary preparations and ensure that everything is ready before the first official F1 activity.”
Shaikh Abdulla praised the BMF’s counterparts from the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) and the team at Sepang International Circuit (SIC), whom the BMF teams had an opportunity to observe recently during an official Malaysian race weekend and exchange insights on their experiences.
“Our main takeaway was that Sepang has strong facilities and experienced personnel, and our focus now is on ensuring that the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia runs smoothly and flawlessly,” Shaikh Abdulla said.
“Sepang is an established F1 circuit and has a long history of hosting the championship, so this is not a matter of building a circuit from the beginning.
“The focus has been on reviewing the current facilities and operational procedures against the specific requirements of a modern F1 event. These include race operations, safety, technical facilities, communications, staffing, logistics, and co-ordination between all parties.
“The BMF is working with the relevant Malaysian authorities, Sepang, and the FIA to make sure all requirements are addressed before the event.”
While the Bahraini and Malaysian sides continue to step up their preparations for the October spectacle, Shaikh Abdulla acknowledged that there is one key dynamic that is ‘unpredictable’ and out of anyone’s control, but ensured that all is being done to be best-prepared for.
“Weather is certainly one of the important factors – Sepang is well known for its tropical climate and sudden heavy rainfall, so wet-weather procedures and emergency preparedness are an essential part of our planning,” Shaikh Abdulla explained.
“Sepang is specifically recognised by F1 for its unpredictable weather and sudden tropical downpours.”
Nonetheless, Shaikh Abdulla is looking forward to the racing. “I expect a very exciting and challenging weekend,” he said. “Sepang is a fast and demanding circuit with long straights, heavy braking zones, and plenty of opportunities for overtaking. Combined with the heat, humidity, and the possibility of rain, it could produce very interesting racing.
“It is going to be a historic moment for us. I have seen how our race has developed from the first grand prix in 2004 into one of the most important sporting events in the kingdom, and now it is being held at another iconic circuit such as Sepang.”
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))