THE Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 will be broadcast live on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) giving Malaysians nationwide the chance to watch the race, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
“Good news for all Malaysians! RTM will broadcast the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 live so that the excitement of this race can be enjoyed together.
“I hope the live broadcast will give Malaysians across the country the opportunity to experience the thrill of a world-class race from the Sepang International Circuit,” he said in a social media post today.
Sepang revs up for Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026
Formula 1 returns to Malaysia this weekend for the first time in nine years, with the race taking place at the Sepang International Circuit from today until Sunday.
The race weekend, which runs from Oct 2 to 4, marks an unusual chapter in the F1 calendar as the Bahrain Grand Prix is being staged at Sepang instead of the Bahrain International Circuit.
Formula 1 and the FIA confirmed Malaysia as the replacement host in July following the cancellation of the original Bahrain race amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The opening F1 practice session was held today from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, followed by second practice from 4pm to 5pm.
The final practice session will take place tomorrow from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, before qualifying from 4pm to 5pm, which will determine the starting grid for Sunday's race.
The main event will be flagged off at 3pm on Sunday, with the Grand Prix scheduled for 56 laps of the 5.543km Sepang circuit, covering a race distance of 310.417km.
Sunday's programme begins with the drivers' parade at 1pm, followed by the national anthem at 2.44pm, before the race gets underway.
The return of F1 has generated strong interest, with Sepang International Circuit chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif saying about 95,000 three-day tickets had been sold as of Sept 29, with international visitors accounting for about half of ticket buyers.
The race also marks F1's return to Sepang after Malaysia last hosted a Grand Prix in 2017, ending a nine-year absence from the championship calendar. Sepang first joined the F1 calendar in 1999.
Anwar visited Sepang yesterday to inspect preparations for the event and took part in a pit-lane walk, as Malaysia and Bahrain prepare to stage the one-off event.
The authorities have also stepped-up traffic controls around the circuit, with 365 traffic police personnel deployed during the event and controls operating from 9am to 6pm daily, particularly ahead of Sunday's race. - October 2, 2026
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