F1 2026: Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang — Race Preview, Times & Predictions (4 Oct)
Formula 1 heads to Round 16 of the 2026 season this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — officially listed as the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. With eight rounds remaining and the championship still wide open, Sepang's sweeping, rain-prone circuit could shake up the title fight. Here is everything you need: session times for UK and European viewers, the standings, and our predictions — clearly labelled as opinion.
When & Where: Session Times
- Qualifying: Saturday 3 October 2026 — 9:00am UK time (BST) / 10:00am CEST / 8:00am UTC
- Race: Sunday 4 October 2026 — 8:00am UK time (BST) / 9:00am CEST / 7:00am UTC
- Circuit: Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Good news for European fans: both sessions air in the morning — qualifying at 9:00am UK time on Saturday, the race itself at 8:00am UK time on Sunday. Set the alarm.
Championship Picture: Antonelli Leads, Title NOT Decided
Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship with 302 points and 8 wins, but with 8 rounds remaining the title is far from settled. Here is the top 5:
| Pos | Driver | Team | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 302 | 8 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 236 | 3 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 199 | 1 |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 186 | 2 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 179 | 1 |
The gap from Antonelli to teammate Russell is 66 points — a Mercedes one-two at the top, but 8 rounds is a long way. Hamilton's single win in red has Ferrari third in the hunt, while Norris and Leclerc are separated by just 7 points in the fight for the final podium places in the standings. One bad weekend for the leader — and Sepang's infamous weather is perfectly capable of delivering one — and this championship tightens fast.
Storylines to Watch
- Can anyone catch Antonelli? The 20-year-old sensation has 8 wins from 15 rounds, but a 66-point lead can erode quickly in a double-header stretch. Sepang is historically kind to bold drivers — is this where the chase ignites?
- The Russell factor: George Russell sits 66 points behind his own teammate with 3 wins. A Mercedes one-two in the standings is a luxury few teams enjoy — but intra-team rivalry at the front is exactly what could split the points in Malaysia.
- Hamilton's Ferrari chapter: One win so far in red for Lewis Hamilton, sitting third on 199 points. A victory at Sepang — a circuit he knows well — would supercharge the second half of his season.
- Sepang weather roulette: Tropical afternoon storms are a Sepang tradition. A rain-hit race would scramble strategies and could hand an unlikely podium to Norris or Leclerc — who are only 7 points apart.
Our Podium Prediction
Based purely on form this season, Antonelli has to be the favourite. But our opinion call for Sunday:
🥇 Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
🥈 George Russell (Mercedes)
🥉 Lando Norris (McLaren)
Bold alternative (opinion): if rain arrives, all bets are off — Hamilton for the win in the wet.
Follow the championship battle all season on our Formula 1 hub and catch the live timing on Live Scores.
Disclaimer: predictions in this article are our opinion only — not facts, not betting advice. All fixture, time and standings data above is as announced; check official F1 channels for any schedule changes.