2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang: all the stats you need to know
The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes at Sepang this weekend, with the circuit hosting Round 16 as the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Friday, October 2, features Free Practice 1 and 2; Free Practice 3 and qualifying follow on Saturday, October 3, before Sunday’s Grand Prix on October 4.
Sepang at a glance
The 5.543km circuit hosted its first Grand Prix in 1999 as the Malaysian Grand Prix. Its lap record is 1m 34.080s, set by Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari in 2017. Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the record for most poles, with five each, while Vettel leads the wins tally with four. Sepang was the first Formula 1 circuit designed by Hermann Tilke.
The 2017 race produced 73 overtakes. Across the last five Grands Prix at the circuit, the Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car probabilities are each listed at 20%; the estimated pit-stop time loss is 23.7 seconds.
Jolyon Palmer describes Sepang as a flowing lap that combines a fast middle sector with heavy braking zones and opportunities to switch back. The wide approach to Turn 1 rewards a late apex to set up Turn 2, while the high-speed sequence through Turns 5 and 6 demands commitment and precise changes of direction. Braking for Turns 11 and 14 is particularly delicate, with the final corner offering an overtaking opportunity.
For another look at the event’s schedule and title fight, read this 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia preview.
The Stats
- First Grand Prix – 1999 (as the Malaysian Grand Prix)
- Track Length – 5.543km
- Lap record – 1m 34.080s, Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 2017
- Most pole positions – Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher (5)
- Most wins – Sebastian Vettel (4)
- Trivia – Sepang was the first F1 track to be designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke
- Overtakes completed in 2017 – 73
- Safety Car probability – 20%*
- Virtual Safety Car probability – 20%
- Pit stop time loss – 23.7 seconds
Tyres, conditions and weekend unknowns
Pirelli describes Sepang’s surface as relatively abrasive, with low grip expected on Friday and improvement as the track evolves. Managing tyre temperatures across both axles is a key challenge. Although parts of the circuit were resurfaced in 2023 and further levelling work was completed from early September, Pirelli says the overall surface characteristics remain similar to those recorded in 2017.
Teams have limited relevant data for the current generation of cars, making Friday practice especially important for assessing balance and tyre behaviour. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the region in early October; heat, humidity and sudden rain could complicate any session.
The form guide
George Russell arrives after taking pole and his third win of the season in Baku, cutting team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead to 66 points. Red Bull also showed promise, with Max Verstappen narrowly missing victory and Isack Hadjar taking a podium. McLaren left Baku without points, while Ferrari secured a double points finish.
Racing Bulls extended its advantage over Alpine in the fight for fifth in the teams’ standings. Franco Colapinto is due to serve a five-place grid penalty, while Haas will seek to build on its first double-points finish. Williams, meanwhile, comes off a weekend in which Carlos Sainz returned to the top 10 for the first time since May.
Recent pole-sitters and winners listed for 2021–25 include three victories and poles for Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri taking both honours in 2025. Sepang’s history also offers a reminder that drama need not depend on rain: in 2013, Sebastian Vettel beat team-mate Mark Webber after the pair fought for the win, despite team orders.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.