🏁 Bahrein in Malaysia 2026 - El Box de Franco

F1 returns to Sepang for the first time in 9 years this week

Published

30 Sep 2026

Est. reading time

2 min

🇲🇾 Formula 1 is back in Malaysia

The Sepang International Circuit hasn't hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2017, when Malaysia withdrew from the calendar due to rising hosting costs. Nine years later, it returns as an emergency venue for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which couldn't take place in the Middle East due to the conflict in the region.

The official name is the longest in recent history: "2026 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia". Because yes, it's a Bahrain race being held in Malaysia.

Sepang was designed by Hermann Tilke and opened its doors in 1999

It's one of the most complete circuits on the calendar: long straights, heavy braking zones, fast flowing corners and a final section with a slow hairpin that leads onto the main straight. All of that plus the challenge of extreme heat and tropical humidity, which will make Malaysia one of the most physically demanding weekends of the year.

Its main characteristics:

5.543 km and 56 laps

Extreme heat and humidity: temperatures can exceed 35°C, leading to very high physical wear

Unpredictable tropical rain: conditions can change completely in a matter of minutes

What changes under the new regulations

Sepang has long straights and heavy braking zones, which means good opportunities for overtake mode. But the heat and humidity can also affect the management of the car's electrical energy, adding an extra layer of complexity that hasn't been tested at this circuit with the 2026 cars.

Nobody has historical data from this circuit under the new regulations. A new weekend that starts from zero for everyone this year.

⏱️ Weekend schedule

Friday 2nd:

FP1: 12:30 🇲🇾 / 05:30 🇬🇧 / 02:30 🇦🇷 FP2: 16:00 🇲🇾 / 09:00 🇬🇧 / 06:00 🇦🇷

Saturday 3rd:

FP3: 12:30 🇲🇾 / 05:30 🇬🇧 / 02:30 🇦🇷 Qualifying: 16:00 🇲🇾 / 09:00 🇬🇧 / 06:00 🇦🇷

Sunday 4th:

Race: 15:00 🇲🇾 / 08:00 🇬🇧 / 05:00 🇦🇷

Due to the time difference with Argentina, Friday and Saturday sessions will be in the early hours of the morning.

The most committed members of the FranClub43 know what they have to do.

🩵 Come on Franco

Malaysia is new territory for everyone in 2026. And Franco arrives with confidence and with the FranClub43 behind him every lap, even if it means staying up until the early hours.

Share how you'll be following the weekend with #FranClub43 and see you from Friday.

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