NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend as Sepang hosts Round 16 on the calendar, the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, October 2, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, October 3, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, October 4.

Vital statistics

• 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

*From the last five Grands Prix at Sepang

The driver’s verdict

Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Sepang is a brilliantly flowing lap, with a fast middle sector splintering big braking zones with plenty of switchback opportunity.

Turn 1 is extremely wide and it’s important to attack the brakes before getting back to hug a late apex to get nicely out of the tighter Turn 2 and up the following curved straight.

The middle sector is all about high-speed balance and flow. A committed entry is needed on the entry for the incredibly high-speed run through 5 before picking your change of direction perfectly into 6 as the track drops away slightly. This is the highest speed cornering section on the circuit. Turn 7 is a bit slower and easy to run wide on the exit before the final part of that sequence which should be an acceleration zone if executed right.

Braking for both Turns 11 and 14 are tricky and all about feel as you are coaxing the car through right hand bends on approach, especially for 14 where it’s easy to lock the right front. Again, the exit of this corner is critical, leading into the final big stamp on the brakes and an overtaking chance at the final turn.

Last five Bahrain GP polesitters

• 2025 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
• 2024 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Last five Bahrain GP winners

• 2025 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
• 2024 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 2021 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Tyre and strategy insight

“Sepang features a relatively abrasive surface, with a level of roughness comparable to Bahrain, while retaining its own distinctive characteristics,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview. “Grip levels are likely to be low on Friday but should improve progressively over the course of the weekend as the track evolves. One of the main challenges facing teams will be thermal management across both axles.

“The circuit has undergone several changes in recent years. In 2023, the section between Turns 6 and 12 was resurfaced, with further work carried out in the area around Turn 9. However, the overall characteristics of the surface, as assessed by Pirelli engineers just a few weeks ago, remain very similar to those recorded in 2017.

“More recently, from the beginning of September, additional surface levelling work was carried out to remove irregularities in the asphalt, alongside cleaning operations aimed at improving track conditions ahead of the World Championship event.

“Teams will also have to contend with a lack of available data. Despite being a historic venue, no team possesses truly relevant references relating to the current generation of Formula 1 cars.

"As a result, Friday practice sessions will be more important than usual, both for drivers, who will need to familiarise themselves with a circuit that many have only experienced in the simulator, and for teams, which must identify the correct car balance and assess tyre behaviour.

“While there is no shortage of technical unknowns, the weather could add a further layer of complexity. Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular feature of the region in early October and could affect any session during the weekend. Intense heat, high humidity and sudden downpours have always been among the defining characteristics of the Malaysian Grand Prix during its years as a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar.”

Current Form

Kimi Antonelli remains at the top of the drivers' standings despite a sub-optimal weekend in Baku, where a crash in Qualifying meant the Mercedes did well to salvage fifth in the race.

In contrast, team mate George Russell enjoyed possibly his best weekend of the season, taking a dominant pole before holding off Max Verstappen in the closing stages for his third victory of the year, bringing Antonelli's margin down to 66 points.

Verstappen was just one tenth off his first win of the season, but Red Bull look to be finding form as Isack Hadjar claimed a podium on his return from a wrist injury.

Azerbaijan proved to be a disaster for McLaren as neither driver scored, with reigning World Champion Lando Norris eliminated in a crash, but the Briton has previously proven to be the closest challenger to Mercedes prior to the last round.

Ferrari, meanwhile, left Baku with a double points finish and will be looking to find greater performance to once again challenge for wins.

In the midfield fight, Racing Bulls pulled further ahead of Alpine in the teams' standings as they battle for P5, with Franco Colapinto set to serve a five-place grid penalty in Sepang for the Baku incident that eliminated himself and team mate Pierre Gasly.

Haas will be looking to score more points after the team's first double points finish, while Williams' major upgrade gave Carlos Sainz the chance to finish inside the top 10 for the first time since May.

Iconic Moments in Sepang

There have been no shortage of memorable moments from the Sepang International Circuit over the years, often involving sudden downpours of rain that have caused chaos and produced thrilling races.

But a lack of rain doesn't mean there is no drama, with Red Bull team mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber proving the point in 2013 as the pair went wheel-to-wheel for the win, the former victorious after disobeying team orders.

To view memorable moments from Sepang, click on the video player below.