2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia - Early time schedule

Round 16 of the F1 season takes place this weekend as the Bahrain Grand Prix takes place - in Malaysia.

Owing to the ongoing Iran War, the Bahrain GP in Sakhir was postponed from its original April date, but not outright cancelled, with hopes it could be held later in the year.

Whilst this was not possible in Sakhir, Sepang, which hosted the Malaysian GP between 1999 and 2017 will step in.

The race will be formally called the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix - with Bahrain footing the bill, but Sepang will host.

Such arrangements have been common in F1, with most famously, Imola hosting the 'San Marino Grand Prix' between 1981 and 2006, despite Imola being located in Italy.

The weekend will be a traditional three practice format before qualifying and the race.

Free Practice 1 will take place at 12:30 local time on Friday, October 2nd, before FP2 at 16:00 local time in the afternoon.

Free Practice 3 will be at 12:30 local time on Saturday, October 3rd, before qualifying at 16:00 local time.

The 56-lap 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will start at 15:00 local time on Sunday, October 4th.

The UK is seven hours behind Malaysia, meaning qualifying is due to start at 09:00 BST on Saturday, and the race at 08:00 BST on Sunday.

Check out the full time schedule for the 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia below, with the times automatically adjusted to your time zone!