Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 all set to flag off Today at iconic Sepang International Circuit

• F1 action to get racing thrills underway with a pair of 60-minute practice sessions

• F1 stars to take centre stage for fanzone interviews

• Large crowd enjoys F1 Pit Lane Walk at SIC

• Formula Trophy Malaysia to kick off 2026 season supporting F1

• Colourful attractions to keep fans entertained off the track

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 gets underway today with the first of three full days of world-class racing and entertainment at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

The historic race weekend will have plenty on offer for all those attending as the F1 spotlight shines once again on Malaysia’s iconic motorsport venue, all the way through to Sunday.

Today’s programme on the track will be headlined by two 60-minute practice sessions. The first is scheduled for 12.30pm local time/7.30am Bahrain time, to be followed by the second at 4pm local time/11am Bahrain time.

On Saturday, a third 60-minute F1 practice will run from 12.30pm local time/7.30am Bahrain time, and then qualifying will be held at 4pm local time/11am Bahrain time.

That will determine the starting grid for the 56-lap F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, which will be flagging off on Sunday at 3pm local time/10am Bahrain time.

Fans attending this weekend’s events at SIC are advised to plan their trip carefully and arrive as early as possible to avoid peak traffic times.

Before arriving at the circuit, race-goers are reminded to make sure they have their valid ticket for the event, as well as the correct pre-purchased parking pass to access the SIC vicinity. The parking pass is a must due to the limited parking available at the venue, and all vehicles without passes will not be permitted entry.

Alternatively, ticket and pass holders are encouraged to take the public shuttle services to get to SIC. These are available at Mitsui Outlet Park, KLIA Terminal 2, KLIA Long-Term Car Park, and De-Village @ Enstek. The public shuttles are available from 7am to 12midnight on all three days of F1 weekend.

For those intending to travel by taxi or an e-hailing service, only public and Grab taxis, plus Limousine KLIA premier services, will be permitted entry to the venue and will be required to drop off their passengers only at the designated areas. For those leaving the circuit, taxis will be available from a designated taxi rank.

Also at the grand prix, internal shuttle buses will be operating during opening hours. They will run every minute within the SIC vicinity.

BIC advises race-goers to check the latest event information before travelling. This will be available on BIC and SIC social media channels.

Large crowd enjoys F1 Pit Lane Walk

A large crowd attended the F1 Pit Lane Walk today at SIC.

Fans were treated to an up-close-and-personal look at the top flight’s teams in their respective garages, busy preparing for Friday’s start to racing. Some fans were able to spot their favourite drivers hard at work with their engineers and mechanics and even take photos with them.

Formula Trophy Malaysia to kick off 2026 season

In support of F1, Formula Trophy Malaysia (FTM) will be holding the first round of its 2026 campaign throughout the weekend at SIC.

The South East Asian single-seater championship for junior drivers will be showcasing the talents of motorsport’s future stars, who will be competing in identical Tatuus F4-T421 racing cars powered by Abarth, and with all cars running on Giti tyres.

FTM will also be holding two practice sessions on Friday, each over a duration of 30 minutes.The first will begin at 10.15am local time/5.15am Bahrain time, while the second will flag off at 2pm local time/9am Bahrain time.

Qualifying will then be held on Saturday at 10.30am local time/5.30am Bahrain time, setting the grids for the weekend’s two 27-lap races – with the first taking place later on Saturday at 2.15pm local time/9.15am Bahrain time and the second on Sunday at 11.45am local time/6.45am Bahrain time.

Entertainment attractions to keep fans busy at SIC off the track

Along with the world-class racing, the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 will feature plenty of family entertainment for all to enjoy at the SIC fanzone.

In signature Bahrain style, the event will feature concerts, shows, activations, and family entertainment on all three days.

These include the Bahrain Village where the Kingdom’s rich cultural identity will be showcased, internationally renowned Chinese acrobats, an army of delightful roaming performers, concerts featuring A-list music artists, plus so much more.

The Bahrain Village is set to be a major part of the attractions at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026. It will offer visitors an immersive experience featuring a programme of traditional experiences, cultural activities, and live handicraft demonstrations.

The Bahrain Village will be an opportunity for fans to discover Bahrain’s heritage firsthand and gain a deeper appreciation of the traditions that continue to shape the national identity.

It will also highlight the island’s vibrant contemporary charm through the participation of local Bahraini food and beverage brands. Visitors will be able to experience authentic Bahraini flavours while discovering the diversity and creativity of the Kingdom’s growing culinary scene.

Also set to delight fans are the Chinese acrobats, who will perform throughout the weekend at SIC fanzone. They will be captivating audiences with breathtaking stunts and precision artistry.

The roaming performers during F1 weekend will include all kinds of acts – from stilt-walkers to acrobats and from musicians to magicians.

Meanwhile, headlining the world-class entertainment at SIC will be back-to-back live performances by a pair of music industry superstars. On Sunday, multi-platinum-selling hit-maker Martin Garrix will headline the post-race celebrations, while on Saturday, Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Axwell will be taking to the stage at SIC.

Tickets for each concert are available exclusively to race-weekend ticket holders and are priced at US$100 per person for the Martin Garrix concert and US$50 per person for the Axwell concert. A separate ticket is required for each performance and tickets are available at bahraingp.com.

SIC will be closing its gates to the public at 8.30pm on both today and Saturday and at 6pm on Sunday.

For more information on the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, visit bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline, or follow BIC and SIC on social media.