FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA 2026
Sepang — Sunday, 04 Oct 2026 08:00 (UK Time)

 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

After a 9 year absence, F1 is returning to Sepang in Malaysia for the Bahrain Grand Prix after the original race was cancelled due to some bloke deciding that it would be a good idea for the USA to go to war with Iran.

Sepang International Circuit was built at the end of the 1990s with the design by Hermann TilkeA very boring Austrian architect who has never actually driven a race car, who went on to design many of the purpose-built tracks that followed. The circuit opened for business in 1999.

Sepang is among the most complete tests in Formula 1. The wide layout combines long straights, heavy-braking zones and a variety of fast, flowing corners, allowing drivers to attack from multiple racing lines.
The venue is renowned for its heat and humidity, and sudden tropical downpours can transform conditions in an instant.

Standout sections include the long sweep through Turns 5 and 6, and the unique final hairpin of Turn 15 that leads onto the main straight.

It is a track that generates medium energy levels through the tyres, placing it in a severity range comparable to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai.
Ambient and track temperatures will be an important factor in tyre management, making thermal degradation one of the key variables throughout the weekend.
Sepang features a relatively abrasive surface, with a level of roughness comparable to Bahrain, while retaining its own distinctive characteristics.
Grip levels are likely to be low on Friday but should improve progressively over the course of the weekend as the track evolves.

Thursday	Friday		Saturday		Sunday
Press Day	FP1	FP2	FP3	QLY	RACE 15:00 (local)
Predicted weather for Sunday's race:					31°C

Dry Tyre Compounds			Cinturato Wet Tyres
Hard × 2	Medium × 3	Soft × 8	Intermediate × 4	Full Wet × 3
C2 (hard-ish)	C3 (midrange)	C4 (soft-ish)		Cold Start