Formula 1 heads to Sepang International Circuit this weekend for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, with the championship battle intensifying as George Russell looks to build on his Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory.
Kimi Antonelli remains at the top of the Drivers’ Championship, but Russell has reduced the gap to 66 points following his victory in Baku.
The race will take place in Malaysia rather than Bahrain, marking Formula 1’s return to Sepang for the first time since 2017.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, including the weekend schedule, circuit analysis and our predictions for the podium.
Weekend schedule
The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend begins on Friday, October 2, with the opening practice session scheduled for 6:30am South African Standard Time (SAST).
Practice Two follows at 10:00am, giving teams further opportunities to evaluate their cars and prepare for the challenging conditions expected at Sepang.
Saturday features the final practice session at 6:30am before qualifying begins at 10:00am.
The main event takes place on Sunday, October 4, with lights out scheduled for 9:00am SAST.
The race will run for 56 laps around the 5.543km Sepang International Circuit.
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Race preview
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix presents a different challenge from the previous round in Azerbaijan, with Formula 1 returning to one of its most demanding permanent circuits.
Sepang combines long straights, heavy-braking zones and sweeping corners, creating several opportunities for overtaking while placing considerable demands on the cars and drivers.
The circuit’s long, curved sections through Turns Five and Six require aerodynamic stability, while the final hairpin provides an important overtaking opportunity into the main straight.
Heat and humidity are also expected to play a significant role throughout the weekend. Tropical weather can bring sudden downpours, potentially disrupting qualifying and creating uncertainty around race strategy.
The return to Sepang will also present a fresh challenge for teams adapting their 2026 machinery to a circuit that has not featured on the Formula 1 calendar since 2017.
Mercedes arrive with momentum after Russell secured victory in Azerbaijan, narrowly beating Max Verstappen to the chequered flag.
Antonelli, meanwhile, will be looking to respond after a difficult weekend in Baku reduced his championship advantage.
The Italian still holds a 66-point lead over his team-mate, leaving Mercedes in a strong position in the title fight. However, Russell’s recent performance suggests the championship battle could become increasingly competitive as the season progresses.
Red Bull will also be hoping to remain in contention after Verstappen finished second in Azerbaijan, while Ferrari and McLaren will look to challenge for podium positions.
With Sepang’s combination of high-speed corners, heavy braking and unpredictable weather, tyre management and strategic decisions could prove decisive.
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Predictions in Malaysia and drivers to look out for
With Mercedes carrying strong momentum into the weekend and Red Bull showing encouraging pace in Azerbaijan, the Bahrain Grand Prix could provide another closely contested battle at the front.
1 – George Russell (Mercedes)
Russell arrives in Malaysia after an impressive victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he held off Verstappen to secure another important result for Mercedes.
The British driver has continued to apply pressure on Antonelli in the championship, and his recent form gives him confidence heading into the next round.
Sepang’s long straights and flowing corners could suit Mercedes, although the team will need to manage tyre degradation carefully in the hot and humid conditions.
Russell’s ability to maintain a competitive pace throughout the race could prove particularly important if changing weather conditions complicate strategy.
With momentum on his side after Baku, Russell is our pick to win the Bahrain Grand Prix.
2 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Antonelli remains the championship leader despite losing ground to Russell in Azerbaijan.
The Mercedes driver has enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, establishing a substantial advantage over the rest of the field. However, his team-mate’s recent performances mean he cannot afford to become complacent.
Sepang will provide Antonelli with an opportunity to respond, particularly if Mercedes can maintain its competitive pace from the previous round.
The circuit’s technical sections will require precision, while the long straights could create opportunities for wheel-to-wheel battles.
Although Russell enters the weekend with considerable momentum, Antonelli should remain firmly in contention for victory.
3 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Verstappen completes our predicted podium after finishing second in Azerbaijan.
The Red Bull driver demonstrated his ability to challenge Russell in Baku and will be looking to carry that performance into Malaysia.
Sepang’s layout could provide opportunities for Verstappen to attack, particularly through its long straights and heavy-braking zones.
However, the team will need to find the right balance between aerodynamic performance and tyre management to challenge Mercedes over a full race distance.
Verstappen’s experience could prove valuable if the race is affected by rain or changing conditions.
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4 – Lando Norris (McLaren)
Norris is another driver worth watching as McLaren looks to return to the podium.
The British driver has remained competitive throughout the season, although the team will need to demonstrate that its package can challenge Mercedes and Red Bull consistently.
Sepang’s flowing corners could suit the McLaren, provided the team finds the right balance between cornering performance and straight-line speed.
Norris could also benefit from changing weather conditions, particularly if an alternative strategy creates opportunities to move through the field.
5 – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Hamilton rounds out the top-five prediction as Ferrari looks to remain in contention with the leading teams.
The seven-time world champion has continued to pursue strong results during his Ferrari campaign, while the team will be looking to make the most of the opportunities presented by Sepang’s demanding layout.
The circuit’s long straights and heavy-braking zones could provide opportunities for overtaking, although Ferrari will need to maintain competitive race pace to challenge for the podium.
Hamilton’s experience could also become important if rain affects the race, particularly when teams must make quick decisions about tire choice and pit-stop timing.
Michael Davey 
SportJustSport writers 
Simon Wilkes