F1 2026: Bahrain Grand Prix Preview and Predictions

The triple header continues as Formula One heads to an old venue for a different race this weekend. The Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 will be taking place in Malaysia at the Sepang track, which will be hosting its first F1 race in a decade. There’s plenty of excitement in the air as F1 returns to the Sepang track as the grid enters a track where most haven’t raced previously before.

Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix 2026, here’s our race preview and predictions.

Old venue returns

With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between the United States of America and Iran, Formula One had initially postponed the Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 and moved it to Sepang in Malaysia. By having the race in Malaysia, Formula One returns to Sepang for the first time in almost a decade, having last raced in the country back in 2017. 

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are the only two active drivers on the grid who have previously won in Malaysia while only a handful of the current grid has even raced at the Sepang track! The sport has changed and so have the cars which means while the teams might have some data about the track, the data about how the modern day cars will react and perform is unknown. 

Not only do the majority of the drivers come into a track they have never raced at in F1 but also the teams come into the unknown. We are set for an exciting weekend with little knowledge about what to expect as teams and drivers come to a venue they have never raced in, in the modern era. 

Is Russell an actual title contender?

After a couple of tough races where he had seen his title campaign take a slight hit, Mercedes’ George Russell bounced back in style at Baku, picking up his first-ever Grand Slam on way to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 win. 

A near-flawless weekend in Baku saw Russell cut down his teammate and championship leader, Kimi Antonelli’s lead to 66 points with eight races left. Russell’s performance in Baku not only saw him return to winning ways but more importantly the Brit himself stated that he felt one with his car and after a while had a performance which he has been looking forward to. The Mercedes was pushed to the limit by Max Verstappen’s Red Bull but Russell held on for the win, converting a strong Sunday drive. Russell also put in an absolutely dominating qualifying performance in Baku, going 0.837s quicker than Charles Leclerc in second place. Russell was untouched and he brought back his qualifying dominance which he is known for. 

An all-round performance from Russell put him right back into the title race and especially given when Antonelli had a mixed weekend, suffering from poor qualifying that took him out of contention for  a race win. Antonelli, though, made sure to fight back and finish P5 from P15, limiting the title fight damage as the Mercedes duo seems like they are involved in a two-man battle. The Sepang track hasn’t been the most successful for Mercedes but given the form of their two drivers this season and the machinery they have, it is difficult to look past Mercedes as a favourite in Malaysia with Russell’s Baku performance and uptick in form certain to see him fight at the front for the win. Mercedes are also expected to bring upgrades to Malaysia which should work in the Silver Arrows’ favour. 

Pole prediction: Kimi Antonelli / George Russell

Race winners prediction: Mercedes / Red Bull

Ferrari out of the race?

Ferrari had the ideal chance to pick up a podium or a double podium in Baku, especially after Kimi Antonelli ended up qualifying P16 while Leclerc started on the front row with Russell and Hamilton two rows behind on the third row. Ferrari had started the season with their stunning race starts but those starts have become less and less and a poor start in Baku saw Leclerc and Hamilton lose places on the opening lap and they were playing catch-up for the rest of the race. Leclerc was unable to keep Verstappen or Piastri behind as the Red Bulls were too quick for Ferrari while Hamilton failed to make up any places for the majority of the race which saw Leclerc and Hamilton finish fourth and sixth respectively. 

Hamiton’s tough Azerbaijan race sees Russell pull out a 37 point lead on him in the Drivers’ championship standing while Antonelli is now a whopping 103 points clear of Hamilton. Mercedes have a 160 point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ championship standings while McLaren’s recent uptick in form through Lando Norris’ back-to-back wins in Hungary and Netherlands have seen them bring down the gap to 72 points for the second place battle. All is not lost for Ferrari yet though, as Sepang has historically been a strong track for Ferrari with the Italian team being the most successful Constructor in Malaysia with 7 wins. 

Ferrari will be in the mix for the win in Malaysia and while Mercedes and Red Bull start as the top two favourites, Ferrari will be a dark horse behind the two and we have the Scuderia as an outside contender.

Dark Horse: Ferrari

F1 Bahrain  Grand Prix 2026: Race details

Circuit: Sepang International Circuit

Venue: Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia

Practice Session 1 time: 10:00 IST, October 2, 2026

Practice Session 2 time: 13:30 IST, October 2, 2026

Practice Session 2: 10:00 IST, October 3, 2026

Qualifying time: 13:30 IST, October 3, 2026

Main race time: 12:30 IST, October 4, 2026

Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode