The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix has been relocated from its traditional home in Sakhir to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The shift, prompted by scheduling conflicts in the Middle East, places the race on the calendar for October 2–4. For UK fans this translates into some of the earliest start times of the season, with all three practice sessions, qualifying and the Sunday race beginning before 9 am British Summer Time.
Weekend timetable at Sepang
All session times are listed in local Malaysian time (GMT+8) and converted to UK time for clarity. Friday, 2 October hosts Practice 1 at 12:30 pm and Practice 2 at 4:00 pm local time, which are 5:30 am and 9:00 am BST respectively. Saturday, 3 October sees Practice 3 at 12:30 pm (5:30 am BST) followed by Qualifying at 4:00 pm local (9:00 am BST). The highlight, the Grand Prix, takes place on Sunday, 4 October at 3:00 pm local time, equivalent to 8:00 am BST.
How to watch in the United Kingdom
Sky Sports F1 remains the official live broadcaster for every session. The channel will air Practice 1 from 5:30 am BST, and continue with the remaining sessions, culminating with the race at 8:00 am. Sky subscribers can also stream via the Sky Sports app or Sky Go, with optional onboard camera feeds for individual drivers.
For viewers without a Sky subscription, the NOW platform offers a contract-free Day Membership or a Month-to-Month option that includes live coverage of the race. Channel 4 supplies free-to-air highlight reels: a 2:45 pm broadcast for Qualifying on Saturday and a 1:00 pm recap of the Sunday race.
Global streaming and premium services
Outside the UK, the official F1 streaming service provides two tiers: F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium. Both grant live video of practice, qualifying and the race, with Pro offering ad-free commentary in six languages and Premium delivering 4K HDR streams plus a Multiview feature that lets fans pick from up to 26 different feeds, including all 22 driver onboard cameras.
In the united states, Apple TV has become the exclusive home of Formula 1 from 2026 onward. Subscribers can watch the entire Sepang weekend on Apple’s dedicated F1 channel, which includes live timing, driver trackers and a complete on-demand archive of sessions.
Sepang’s climate and track characteristics
The circuit is famed for its blend of fast sweeping corners and long straights, but the October Malaysian heat adds another layer of difficulty. Forecasts predict warm, humid conditions with occasional thunderstorms that could erupt at short notice, potentially reshaping race strategy. Teams will need to balance tyre selection with the threat of sudden rain, while drivers must stay physically fit to cope with the demanding environment.
Tips for fans dealing with early start times
Because the UK slots fall before 9 am, many viewers will need to adjust their morning routine. Setting a reminder for the 5:30 am practice session ensures you don’t miss the first glimpse of the new layout. Pairing the broadcast with a strong coffee and a reliable internet connection (especially for streaming services) can make the early-morning experience more enjoyable.
