{"id":910593,"date":"2026-09-30T04:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T04:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/910593\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T04:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T04:34:13","slug":"2026-f1-bahrain-grand-prix-in-malaysia-start-time-how-to-watch-tv-times-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/910593\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia \u2013 Start time, how to watch, TV times & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"2026\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor the first time in nearly a decade, F1 returns to Malaysia. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n

Formula 1 returns to Malaysia for the first time in nine years this weekend, although in circumstances unlike anything the sport has seen before.<\/p>\n

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be staged at the Sepang International Circuit<\/a> after its original April date was cancelled due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East<\/a>, with Malaysia later selected to ensure the race could still take place.<\/p>\n

It makes this only the fourth time in Formula 1 world championship history that a race has taken place in a different country to the one in its name.<\/p>\n

The 5.543km circuit is one of the most demanding on the calendar, combining two long straights with sweeping high-speed corners, heavy braking zones and slower technical sections.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s race will run for 56 laps and mark the 20th Formula 1 event held at Sepang, which last appeared on the calendar in 2017.<\/p>\n

That race was won by Max Verstappen ahead of Lewis Hamilton, giving the Dutchman just the second victory of his Formula 1 career.<\/p>\n

Only 10 drivers on the current grid competed in that race, underlining how much the championship has changed since its last visit to Malaysia.<\/p>\n

Hamilton, Verstappen and Fernando Alonso are the only current drivers to have previously won at Sepang, with Alonso particularly successful after claiming three victories with three different teams.<\/p>\n

Ferrari has historically been the most successful team at the circuit with seven wins, while Red Bull has taken five.<\/p>\n

Mercedes, despite dominating much of Formula 1 during Sepang\u2019s final years on the calendar, has won there only once, with Hamilton taking victory in 2014.<\/p>\n

Red Bull\u2019s record is particularly notable heading into this weekend, having won five of the final eight races staged at Sepang.<\/p>\n

The team also arrives in strong form after securing its first double podium in more than two years in Azerbaijan, where Verstappen narrowly missed out on victory.<\/p>\n

At the front, George Russell heads to Malaysia off the back of arguably the strongest weekend of his Formula 1 career.<\/p>\n

Russell claimed his first grand slam in Baku<\/a> on the way to his third victory of the season, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli could manage only fifth.<\/p>\n

The result reduced Antonelli\u2019s advantage over his Mercedes teammate to 66 points with eight rounds remaining.<\/p>\n

Russell\u2019s record in the Bahrain Grand Prix itself has been less imposing, with last year\u2019s second place his only podium in the event.<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri was the driver who beat him that day, taking victory for McLaren at Sakhir.<\/p>\n

The Australian returns as the defending Bahrain Grand Prix winner but is still searching for his first victory of 2026 and his first podium since Miami.<\/p>\n

Piastri again appeared in contention for a top-three finish in Azerbaijan before a late lock-up dropped him out of the podium fight<\/a> and ultimately outside the points.<\/p>\n

This weekend will be the 22nd running of the Bahrain Grand Prix, but the first away from the Bahrain International Circuit.<\/p>\n

Ferrari leads the event\u2019s all-time team victory count with seven wins, while Mercedes has six.<\/p>\n

Hamilton is the most successful driver in Bahrain Grand Prix history with five victories, while Alonso has three.<\/p>\n

With Formula 1 returning to Sepang for the first time since 2017, Russell closing the championship gap, Red Bull returning to a circuit where it has traditionally thrived and Piastri looking to revive his season, the unusual Bahrain Grand Prix setting adds another intriguing layer to the title fight.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nWhen is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?<\/p>\n

The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit takes place on October 2-4 (AEST).<\/p>\n

What time does the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia start?<\/p>\n

The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will start at 6pm AEDT on Saturday, September 26. Scroll down for more time zones.<\/p>\n

Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia schedule<\/p>\n

Friday, 2 October
\nSession
\nDuration
\nLocal
\nAEST
\nACST
\nAWST
\nNZDT<\/p>\n

Formula Trophy Malaysia
\nFirst Practice Session
\n30 minutes
\n10:15
\n12:15
\n11:45
\n10:15
\n15:15<\/p>\n

FORMULA 1
\nFIRST PRACTICE SESSION
\n60 minutes
\n12:30
\n14:30
\n14:00
\n12:30
\n17:30<\/p>\n

Formula Trophy Malaysia
\nSecond Practice Session
\n30 minutes
\n14:00
\n16:00
\n15:30
\n14:00
\n19:00<\/p>\n

FORMULA 1
\nSECOND PRACTICE SESSION
\n60 minutes
\n16:00
\n18:00
\n17:30
\n16:00
\n21:00<\/p>\n

Saturday, 3 October<\/p>\n

Formula Trophy Malaysia
\nQualifying Session
\n30 minutes
\n10:30
\n12:30
\n12:00
\n10:30
\n15:30<\/p>\n

FORMULA 1
\nTHIRD PRACTICE SESSION
\n60 minutes
\n12:30
\n14:30
\n14:00
\n12:30
\n17:30<\/p>\n

Formula Trophy Malaysia
\nRace 1 (27 Mins +1 Lap)
\n27 minutes
\n14:15
\n16:15
\n15:45
\n14:15
\n19:15<\/p>\n

FORMULA 1
\nQUALIFYING SESSION
\n60 minutes
\n16:00
\n18:00
\n17:30
\n16:00
\n21:00<\/p>\n

Sunday, 4 October*<\/p>\n

Duration
\nLocal
\nAEDT
\nAEST
\nACDT
\nACST
\nAWST
\nNZDT<\/p>\n

Formula Trophy Malaysia
\nSecond Race (27 Mins +1 Lap)
\n27 minutes
\n11:45
\n14:45
\n13:45
\n14:15
\n13:15
\n11:45
\n16:45<\/p>\n

FORMULA 1
\nGRAND PRIX (56 LAPS OR 120 MINS)
\n120 minutes
\n15:00
\n18:00
\n17:00
\n17:30
\n16:30
\n15:00
\n20:00<\/p>\n

* Daylight saving begins on Sunday morning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT
\nWhat is the weather forecast for Sepang?<\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be Malaysia without a hot and wet race weekend, with temperatures reaching around 32 degrees Celsius across the three days and rain likely to remain a threat throughout, including thunderstorms on Friday and Sunday and showers possible on Saturday..<\/p>\n

How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix in Australia<\/p>\n

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be live on Fox Sports 506. There is no live free-to-air coverage or post-race free-to-air highlights of the event in Australia.<\/p>\n

Can I live stream the Bahrain Grand Prix in Australia?<\/p>\n

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Foxtel\u2019s subscription streaming services Foxtel Go and Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n

How to watch F1 TV commentary feed<\/p>\n

The alternative F1 TV commentary feed is available to Foxtel customers with a set top box. Kayo Sports subscribers can only watch the F1 TV feed during Sunday\u2019s Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

Bahrain Grand Prix Fox Sports broadcast times (AEST\/AEDT*)<\/p>\n

Friday, October 2<\/p>\n

Practice 1: 2:00pm-4:00pm AEST
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go<\/p>\n

Practice 2: 5:45pm-7:15pm AEST
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 3<\/p>\n

Practice 3: 2:15pm-3:45pm AEST
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go<\/p>\n

Qualifying: 5:00pm-8:00pm AEST
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go<\/p>\n

Sunday, October 4<\/p>\n

Build-up: 4:30pm-5:55pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go<\/p>\n

Race: 5:55pm-8:00pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go<\/p>\n

* Daylight Saving begins on Sunday morning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT
\nHow to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix in New Zealand<\/p>\n

Sky Sport will broadcast the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Sky Sport 2 carrying the action on Friday and Saturday and Sky Sport 3 showing the race on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Can I live stream the Bahrain Grand Prix in New Zealand?<\/p>\n

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sport\u2019s subscription streaming service Sky Go or Sky Sport Now.<\/p>\n

Bahrain Grand Prix Sky Sports broadcast times (NZDT)<\/p>\n

Friday, October 2<\/p>\n

Practice 1: 5:00pm-7:00pm NZDT
Sky Sport 2, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo<\/p>\n

Practice 2: 8:45pm-10:15pm NZDT
Sky Sport 2, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 3<\/p>\n

Practice 3: 5:15pm-6:45pm NZDT
Sky Sport 2, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo<\/p>\n

Qualifying: 8:00pm-11:00pm NZDT
Sky Sport 2, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo<\/p>\n

Sunday, October 4<\/p>\n

Build-up: 6:30pm-7:55pm NZDT
Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo<\/p>\n

Race: 7:55pm-10:00pm NZDT
Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo<\/p>\n

Formula 1 Drivers\u2019 Championship (After Azerbaijan GP)<\/p>\n

Pos
\nNum
\nDriver
\nTeam
\nWins
\nPoles
\nPoints
\nDiff
\nGap<\/p>\n

1
\n12
\nKimi Antonelli
\nMercedes
\n8
\n6
\n302<\/p>\n

2
\n63
\nGeorge Russell
\nMercedes
\n3
\n5
\n236
\n66
\n66<\/p>\n

3
\n44
\nLewis Hamilton
\nFerrari
\n1
\n0
\n199
\n103
\n37<\/p>\n

4
\n1
\nLando Norris
\nMcLaren
\n2
\n3
\n186
\n116
\n13<\/p>\n

5
\n16
\nCharles Leclerc
\nFerrari
\n1
\n0
\n179
\n123
\n7<\/p>\n

6
\n3
\nMax Verstappen
\nRed Bull
\n0
\n0
\n163
\n139
\n16<\/p>\n

7
\n81
\nOscar Piastri
\nMcLaren
\n0
\n0
\n120
\n182
\n43<\/p>\n

8
\n6
\nIsack Hadjar
\nRed Bull
\n0
\n0
\n86
\n216
\n34<\/p>\n

9
\n30
\nLiam Lawson
\nRacing Bulls\/Red Bull
\n0
\n0
\n59
\n243
\n27<\/p>\n

10
\n10
\nPierre Gasly
\nAlpine
\n0
\n1
\n41
\n261
\n18<\/p>\n

11
\n6
\nArvid Lindblad
\nRacing Bulls
\n0
\n0
\n37
\n265
\n4<\/p>\n

12
\n43
\nFranco Colapinto
\nAlpine
\n0
\n0
\n27
\n275
\n10<\/p>\n

13
\n87
\nOliver Bearman
\nHaas
\n0
\n0
\n20
\n282
\n7<\/p>\n

14
\n5
\nGabriel Bortoleto
\nAudi
\n0
\n0
\n10
\n292
\n10<\/p>\n

15
\n27
\nNico Hulkenberg
\nAudi
\n0
\n0
\n7
\n295
\n3<\/p>\n

15
\n31
\nEsteban Ocon
\nHaas
\n0
\n0
\n7
\n295
\n0<\/p>\n

15
\n55
\nCarlos Sainz
\nWilliams
\n0
\n0
\n7
\n295
\n0<\/p>\n

18
\n23
\nAlexander Albon
\nWilliams
\n0
\n0
\n5
\n297
\n2<\/p>\n

19
\n14
\nFernando Alonso
\nAston Martin
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n299
\n2<\/p>\n

20
\n22
\nYuki Tsunoda
\nRacing Bulls
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n301
\n2<\/p>\n

21
\n18
\nLance Stroll
\nAston Martin
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n301
\n1<\/p>\n

21
\n77
\nValtteri Bottas
\nCadillac
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n302
\n0<\/p>\n

21
\n11
\nSergio Perez
\nCadillac
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n302
\n0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the first time in nearly a decade, F1 returns to Malaysia. Image: XPB Images Formula 1 returns…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":910594,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[64,63,260773,817,813,816,85],"class_list":["post-910593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-bahrain-gp","tag-f1","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=910593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/910594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=910593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=910593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=910593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}