About the Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s modern classics, first held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir in 2004. In 2026 the race keeps that name and its Gulf Air title sponsorship, but the cars will not turn a wheel in the desert. After the original 10-12 April date at Sakhir was cancelled because of the war in the Middle East, the FIA and Formula 1 agreed with the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia to restage the round at the Sepang International Circuit on 2-4 October.

Officially it is the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026. Bahrain remains the rights holder. Sepang, unused by Formula 1 since the last Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017, returns as a one-off venue between Baku and Singapore. The result is a rare Bahrain GP weekend defined by humidity, wide Tilke asphalt and the threat of tropical rain rather than floodlights and desert wind.

Bahrain Grand Prix Fast Facts

Official name	Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026
First Bahrain GP	2004 (Sakhir)
2026 circuit	Sepang International Circuit
Location	Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
Number of laps	56
Circuit length	5.543 km
Race distance	310.408 km
Sepang lap record (race)	1:34.080 – Sebastian Vettel (2017)
Most Bahrain GP wins	Lewis Hamilton – 5
Last F1 race at Sepang	2017 Malaysian Grand Prix (Max Verstappen)

Bahrain GP Info

• Where to Watch Bahrain GP
• Sepang Track Guide
• Bahrain GP Weather (Malaysia)
• Bahrain GP 2026 Betting
• Bahrain GP Race Preview

Bahrain GP Past Winners

Winners of the Bahrain Grand Prix, all at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir unless noted. The 2011 race was cancelled. 2026 will be the first Bahrain GP held away from Sakhir.

Year	Winner	Team
2025	Oscar Piastri	McLaren
2024	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2023	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2022	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari
2021	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2020	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2019	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2018	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari
2017	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari
2016	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes
2015	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2014	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2013	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull
2012	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull
2010	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari
2009	Jenson Button	Brawn GP
2008	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
2007	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
2006	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2005	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2004	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari

Sepang International Circuit

The Sepang International Circuit opened in 1999 as Hermann Tilke’s first purpose-built Formula 1 venue and hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix every year until 2017. It sits next to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Selangor. The 5.543 km layout is wide, flowing and hard on tyres: two long straights split by a tight hairpin, a fast first sector and a technical middle sector that punishes dirty air.

Heat and humidity are constants. Afternoon storms have decided weekends here before, including the 2009 race that was stopped early. After nine years away, Sepang returns for one weekend as the stand-in for Sakhir, then Formula 1 goes straight on to the Singapore street race.

• Track length: 5.543 km
• Laps: 56
• Corners: 15
• Lap record: 1:34.080 – Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari, 2017)
• Direction: Clockwise
• First F1 race: 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix
• Capacity: Approximately 80,000

F1 winners at Sepang (Malaysian GP, 1999-2017)

Year	Winner	Team
2017	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
2016	Daniel Ricciardo	Red Bull
2015	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari
2014	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
2013	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull
2012	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari
2011	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull
2010	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull
2009	Jenson Button	Brawn GP
2008	Kimi Raikkonen	Ferrari
2007	Fernando Alonso	McLaren
2006	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2005	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2004	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2003	Kimi Raikkonen	McLaren
2002	Ralf Schumacher	Williams
2001	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2000	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
1999	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari

Bahrain GP FAQs

When is the Bahrain GP 2026?

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix runs from 2 to 4 October 2026 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. See the schedule above for times in your timezone and local time.

Why is the Bahrain GP in Malaysia?

The original April race at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir was cancelled because of the war in the Middle East. In July 2026 the FIA and Formula 1 confirmed Sepang as the replacement venue, with the event keeping the Bahrain Grand Prix name.

What is the official title of the race?

Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.

How many laps is the 2026 Bahrain GP?

The race is scheduled over 56 laps of the 5.543 km Sepang International Circuit, a total of 310.408 km.

Who holds the Sepang F1 lap record?

The race lap record at Sepang is 1:34.080, set by Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Which driver has most Bahrain GP wins?

Lewis Hamilton has won the Bahrain Grand Prix five times, all at Sakhir.