FIA confirm race start time as F1 returns to Malaysia

The FIA has confirmed the start time of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place in Malaysia later this year.

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at the Sepang International Circuit from 2-4 October 2026, after the original race in Sakhir was cancelled in March due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

The war in the region made it impossible for F1 to safely stage the event in Bahrain, prompting the sport, the FIA, and the Bahraini and Malaysian governments to agree on a relocation to Southeast Asia.

It marks a return to a venue steeped in F1 history. The Malaysian Grand Prix was a calendar fixture for 19 consecutive seasons from 1999 to 2017, with Sepang becoming the first purpose-built circuit in Southeast Asia to host a World Championship race.

Its challenging layout, punishing heat and unpredictable weather produced some of the sport's most memorable moments before the event was dropped after 2017.

Now, nine years on, the paddock heads back to Sepang under different branding but familiar surroundings.

The race on Sunday 4 October will start at 3PM local time, meaning an early alarm for European fans. 

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, lights out will be at 8AM, while viewers in Central Europe can tune in from 9AM.