Official 2026 "Bahrain" Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

The races come thick and fast now, and none will be as strange as the Bahrain GP held in Sepang, Malaysia. The power of money I suppose.

It will be interesting if Russell can keep up his momentum, he really was top class in Baku. Red Bull was right there, and Max may have a chance of a win here and gets my vote.

I’ve no idea how the cars will go here as there has been no F1 racing since 2017, but it will be hot and humid for sure-McLaren and Ferrari generally like those type of conditions.

Here’s to a great race.

Date(s): Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October 2026

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of competitive sessions.





2017 (Malaysian GP) Highlights: (Max win, worst Stroll crash ever?)

https://youtu.be/02ekLWzzU5s?si=KGacDBIMSayFxJBm

Tyres:

Medium compounds



2017 Result:

[parabolica]

Thanks as always PIAP; looking forward to this one mainly because I’m just about to step on a plane to fly there

[Piginapoke]

parabolica said:

Thanks as always PIAP; looking forward to this one mainly because I m just about to step on a plane to fly there

Enjoy! Post a few pics if you can

[garythesign]

Thanks as ever PiaP

The next few weeks you will be kept busy

[TheDeuce]

Thanks PIAP

I'm looking forward to the Malaysian GP

















(It's absolutely not on to export your own countries GP and claim it's your own - either they race on home soil or they race elsewhere)

[TheDeuce]

Actually PIAP, could you change the thread title? It's definitely a Malaysian GP.

[Piginapoke]

TheDeuce said:

(It's absolutely not on to export your own countries GP and claim it's your own - either they race on home soil or they race elsewhere)

Amen to that

[Jasandjules]

Annoyingly I am going to miss this one as will be at the airport during the race. I hope it's a belter

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

They've made the mistake again of 15.00 local.

Rain comes at 16.00 local! (They used to run it earlier but made it later presumably for TV)

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

They've made the mistake again of 15.00 local.

Rain comes at 16.00 local! (They used to run it earlier but made it later presumably for TV)

...although not this year apparently! (according to the forecast )

[suffolk009]

Antonelli has to be the favourite again. I wonder if he'll have a clean weekend this time?

[Petrus1983]

Thanks PiaP - obviously I'm a KA fan boy - but think he'll do well here. Max though - never discount Max

[thegreenhell]

Piginapoke said:

Who did Pascal upset?

[Skodapondy]

I'm assuming Kimi was in the other Ferrari, so where was he?

[TVR Sagaris]

Ah, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, wonderful.

[Mr Tidy]

TVR Sagaris said:

Ah, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, wonderful.

Well I'm not sure I'd rush to go to Bahrain just now!

But thanks to PIAP as always for his posting.

I can't see anyone other than KA winning, but I said that about Azerbaijan.

[Sandpit Steve]

This is going to be a new circuit for more than half the field, judging by the 2017 entry list above. Plenty of work in the simulators leading up to this weekend. Races coming thick and fast now, starting last weekend it’s nine events in 11 weeks. Thanks PiaP for the thread, you’re going to be kept busy for the next couple of months!

The weather could play a part here, as it has done before, and as others have noted they’re sticking with the usual Malaysian afternoon schedule. When it rains here, it really does rain, usually in the mid afternoon. An early start for the UK audience to watch all the sessions!

Can’t see past Antonelli for the win this weekend to be honest, although Red Bull showed good race pace last time out in Baku. The young Italian will be keen to make up for a rare (this season) rookie error last time out, which almost certainly cost him a podium and let George close the gap in the championship. Ferrari were pretty ordinary in Baku, and they need to show pace here if they want to keep McLaren (who also had an ordinary Baku) behind them in the constructors’ title race.

[Sandpit Steve]

parabolica said:

Thanks as always PIAP; looking forward to this one mainly because I m just about to step on a plane to fly there

Lucky you! Enjoy the trip, and loads of photos please

[AlmondGreen]

parabolica said:

Thanks as always PIAP; looking forward to this one mainly because I m just about to step on a plane to fly there

Enjoy! Excellent circuit layout for spectators and drivers, maybe one of the best on the calendar. Should be a great race especially if Red Bull repeats their Baku pace.

Region is currently under haze conditions thanks to the Indonesian farmers clearing the land hopefully won t be too bad at the weekend but it’s been very unpredictable, the air is currently well into Unhealthy territory around Sepang so you might want to grab an N95 mask.

Edited by AlmondGreen on Tuesday 29th September 05:19

[Piginapoke]

Skodapondy said:

I'm assuming Kimi was in the other Ferrari, so where was he?

He didn’t make the grid- technical issue on the parade lap.