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The FIA has confirmed the start time for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be staged at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from 2–4 October.
The event was originally scheduled to take place in Sakhir, but was cancelled in March because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With the situation making it impossible to safely hold the race in Bahrain, Formula 1, the FIA and the Bahraini and Malaysian governments agreed to relocate the event to Southeast Asia.
The race will retain its Bahrain Grand Prix branding despite moving to a different country and circuit. It will also bring Formula 1 back to a venue with a substantial place in the championship’s history.
The Malaysian Grand Prix was held at Sepang for 19 consecutive seasons between 1999 and 2017. The circuit was the first purpose-built venue in Southeast Asia to host a World Championship race, establishing itself as a distinctive challenge on the calendar.
Its demanding layout, punishing heat and unpredictable weather contributed to some of Formula 1’s most memorable moments before the event was removed from the schedule after 2017. Nine years later, the paddock will return to the same surroundings under a different race identity.
The unusual venue change has also prompted related coverage of the tyre planning for the relocated event, adding another layer to preparations for a race being held far from its original destination.
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 4 October, with lights out scheduled for 3PM local time at Sepang.
That start time will require an early morning for European fans. Viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland can watch the race from 8AM, while those in Central Europe will see the start at 9AM.
The confirmed schedule completes another important part of the relocation process, as Formula 1 prepares to deliver a Bahrain-branded event at one of the sport’s former calendar venues.
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.
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