F1 – The kingdom is back in the Formula One spotlight today as racing flags off in the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
The race weekend is being hosted by Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and there is plenty to play for in this 16th round of the 2026 FIA F1 World Championship.
Mercedes head into the meeting having won three straight to further tighten their grip on both the constructors’ and drivers’ world title fights.
The eight-time world champions are on 538 points – 60 ahead of Ferrari and a massive 232 points in front of defending champions McLaren.
The team’s 20-year-old superstar Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, leads teammate George Russell in the drivers’ standings. Antonelli is on 302 points having taken two of their most recent hat-trick with wins in Italy and Spain before Russell triumphed in Azerbaijan last week.
But while Mercedes are riding high, team principal and CEO Toto Wolff is not taking things lightly as another tough challenge faces the grid, with the top flight racing at SIC for the first time since 2017.
“It’s fantastic to see F1 returning to Sepang and we should also recognise the effort that has gone into making this grand prix happen,” Wolff said. “It has required strong collaboration between Malaysia and Bahrain, and that deserves credit.
“Once the cars are on track, though, our focus is on the job ahead. Sepang is a demanding circuit that asks every question of the car.
“You need performance in the high-speed corners, good traction, strong tyre management, and consistency in hot, challenging conditions. It is one of the more complete tests on the calendar.”
Wolff revealed that Mercedes are bringing a long-awaited upgrade this grand prix weekend, describing it as “an important step”.
“At the more representative circuits in recent races, we have not been where we want to be,” Wolff explained. “Monza and Baku presented unique challenges, but on the more conventional tracks, we have not been in the fight for pole position. We know that and we are working hard to change it.
“The update is hopefully another step forward, but there are no guarantees in F1. The stopwatch is always the final judge.
“Our focus is on understanding the package quickly, executing the weekend well, and aiming to put ourselves in the fight at the front.”
Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton agrees that SIC poses a unique test and has described the Kuala Lumpur venue as one of the most demanding circuits in F1.
“It’s a fantastic track to drive,” he explained. “It has several high-speed sections and you need a car that gives you confidence through the quick changes of direction.
“It’s a circuit that really tests both the car and the driver, so finding the right balance from the start of the weekend will be important.”
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is buoyed by upcoming developments to their car but stressed that “they are not going to completely change the picture overnight”.
“Every small step in the right direction is important,” Leclerc added. “The competition is very strong and everybody is continuing with car development, so we need to keep pushing and improving on every front.”
For Bahrain-owned McLaren, the importance of today’s two practice sessions have been highlighted by the team’s racing senior director Randy Singh.
“Returning to Sepang for the first time in almost a decade presents an interesting challenge, particularly with limited recent data for this generation of cars,” Singh explained.
“We have prepared extensively in the simulator, including giving Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri] time to learn the circuit, but there can be uncertainty around the accuracy of circuit models and our understanding of the tarmac, which will be an important factor in tyre behaviour.
“Friday will therefore be especially valuable as the drivers tune themselves into the circuit and we work through the best setup and car configuration, understand the tyres, and assess overtaking and racing with the new cars and power units.”
The opening day of F1 action today features a pair of 60-minute F1 practice sessions – the first at 12.30pm Malaysia time and 7.30am Bahrain time, to be followed by the second at 4pm Malaysia time and 11am Bahrain time.
Tomorrow, a third 60-minute F1 practice will run from 12.30pm Malaysia time and 7.30am Bahrain time, and then qualifying will take place at 4pm Malaysia time and 11am Bahrain time.
That will determine the starting grid for the 56-lap F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which will be flagging off on Sunday at 3pm Malaysia time and 10am Bahrain time.
In support of F1, Formula Trophy Malaysia (FTM) will also be taking to the track at SIC throughout the race weekend. FTM is holding the first of three rounds in its 2026 season.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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