The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend in Malaysia, marking the 16th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Andrea Kimi Antonelli enters the race with a strong 66-point lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who recently secured a lights-to-flag victory in Azerbaijan, ending his F1 winless streak dating back to June.
Although Formula 1 is returning to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, the event will officially be called the Bahrain Grand Prix, held on behalf of Bahrain. This arrangement comes after an agreement between F1, the FIA, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain, following the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix’s original April date due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The race weekend will take place from October 2nd to 4th, featuring a typical format with two hour-long practice sessions on Friday, an hour of final practice and qualifying on Saturday, and the race itself on Sunday, which will run for 56 laps.
Here are the event timings for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia:
Friday
- Free Practice 1: 12:30-13:30 local time / 05:30-06:30 UK time
- Free Practice 2: 16:00-17:00 local time / 09:00-10:00 UK time
Saturday
- Free Practice 3: 12:30-13:30 local time / 05:30-06:30 UK time
- Qualifying: 16:00-17:00 local time / 09:00-10:00 UK time
Sunday
- Race: 15:00-17:00 local time / 08:00-10:00 UK time
Weather forecasts predict a challenging weekend with potential rain throughout the event. Light showers may disrupt Friday’s sessions, while thunderstorms could impact Saturday and Sunday. Malaysia has a history of sudden heavy downpours affecting races, such as the partially abandoned 2009 Grand Prix and the significantly delayed 2012 event due to torrential rain.
So far in 2026, there have been no fully wet sessions, but fans should prepare for the possibility of rain influencing race strategies this weekend.
Fan Take: This time-shifted Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia adds an intriguing twist to the championship battle, especially with changing weather conditions that could shake up the running order. Racing fans should watch closely, as this unique situation tests driver skill and team adaptability, potentially reshaping the championship landscape.
Source: www.crash.net
