It's set to take place at Sepang International Circuit, but Sunday's first Formula 1 race at the track since 2017 is officially set be known as the Bahrain Grand Prix, rather than the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The originally scheduled Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit was scheduled to take place on April but was canceled due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The other canceled race, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, will not be replaced, leaving the 2026 schedule with 23 races.
When Formula 1 most recently visted the 15-turn, 3.444-mile (5.543-kilometer) road course in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia, it was Red Bull's Max Verstappen who earned his second career victory, doing so from third on the grid after taking the lead from then-three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on lap four.
The Malaysian Grand Prix wasn't won from pole in 2015 or 2016, either, although it likely would have been won from pole by Hamilton in 2016 if not for a late engine failure. Hamilton won the race from pole in 2014, making him one of three active former winners in Sepang. The other is two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who won there in 2005, 2007, and 2012.
There is perhaps no bigger wild card on the schedule than this race track. How crucial will qualifying be in a season that has seen just one of its first 15 Grands Prix won from the front row?
Follow along with our live qualifying updates from Sepang International Circuit.
Bahrain Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Eliminated in Q1
17 - Nico Hulkenberg, Audi
18 - Ollie Bearman, Haas
19 - Esteban Ocon, Haas
20 - Alex Albon, Williams
21 - Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac
22 - Sergio Perez, Cadillac
Bahrain Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Eliminated in Q2
11 - Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
12 - Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
13 - Carlos Sainz Jr., Williams
14 - Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
15 - Franco Colapinto, Alpine
16 - Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Bahrain Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Q3 results
1 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2 - Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
3 - Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
4 - Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
5 - Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
6 - Lando Norris, McLaren
7 - Oscar Piastri, McLaren
8 - George Russell, Mercedes
9 - Pierre Gasly, Alpine
10 - Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
Full Bahrain Grand Prix starting lineup in Malaysia
1 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2 - Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
3 - Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
4 - Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
5 - Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
6 - Lando Norris, McLaren
7 - Oscar Piastri, McLaren
8 - George Russell, Mercedes
9 - Pierre Gasly, Alpine
10 - Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
11 - Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
12 - Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
13 - Carlos Sainz Jr., Williams
14 - Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
15 - Franco Colapinto, Alpine
16 - Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
17 - Nico Hulkenberg, Audi
18 - Ollie Bearman, Haas
19 - Esteban Ocon, Haas
20 - Alex Albon, Williams
21 - Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac
22 - Sergio Perez, Cadillac
The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to be shown live on Apple TV from Sepang International Circuit beginning at 2:55 a.m. ET on Sunday, October 4. This race is set to be shown for free to all viewers, even those without an Apple TV subscription.
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