FIA Confirms Sepang F1 Start Time, Ending Confusion

The FIA has finally confirmed the official start time for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been relocated to Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, ending a week of confusion following the track's addition to the Formula 1 calendar. The race, now known as the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, will take place on 2-4 October, replacing the Bahrain International Circuit as host.

The decision to relocate was driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Iran and the US and Israel, whose resolution remains uncertain. The FIA has now published the start times for the remaining grands prix of the 2026 season, with Sepang listed as a regular afternoon race, putting an end to speculation that the race would be held at night.

Initially, the F1 website listed the session and race times for the Sepang race as the same as the original times at Sakhir, leading to speculation that the race would be run at night. However, F1 said this was a systems problem on their end, and that the race would not be run at night, although no official times for the Sepang race were published at the time.

Baca JugaFittipaldi Dukung Hamilton Bersaing Perebutkan Gelar F1 2026 bersama Ferrari

Now, the official confirmation shows that Friday and Saturday will follow the same pattern, with FP1 and FP2 at 12:30 and 16:00 respectively, while FP3 and qualifying also at 12:30 and 16:00. This schedule is also used at several other races during the final part of the season, such as in Azerbaijan, Austin, Mexico, and Brazil.

The race itself will start at 15:00 local time on Sunday, the same start time as the last F1 race at Sepang: the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. This confirms, of course, no night race, and means an 08:00 start time in the UK and 09:00 in central Europe.

This clarity provides teams, drivers, and fans with the certainty they have been waiting for. With an earlier start time compared to a night race, teams can adjust their strategies and preparations accordingly. Lewis Hamilton and other drivers now have a clear picture of the track conditions they will face, given the heat and humidity typical of Sepang, which will be a significant factor.

As reported by Crash.net, this decision was made to ensure the safety and smooth running of the race amid the uncertain geopolitical situation. With this, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is set to deliver an exciting spectacle at this physically demanding circuit.