Summary
- The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia takes place at Sepang from 2–4 October, with practice, qualifying and the race available through each market’s rights holder.
- Apple TV is the US home of F1 in 2026, while India’s FanCode also sells F1 TV Pro and Premium.
- Sunday’s race starts at 08:00 BST, 03:00 EDT, 12:30 IST and 18:00 AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia takes place at Sepang from 2–4 October, with F1 returning to the circuit for the first time since 2017. Fans in the UK, United States, India, Australia and Canada have different television and streaming options for following the weekend.
The main services are Sky Sports and NOW in the UK, Apple TV in the US, FanCode in India, Fox Sports through Foxtel or Kayo in Australia, and TSN or RDS in Canada. F1 TV access also depends on the country and subscription arrangement.
The event follows the traditional format, with three practice sessions, qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix. There is no Sprint at Sepang this weekend.
Where to watch the Bahrain GP in Malaysia
| Country | Television / main service | Streaming options | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports F1 | NOW Sports; Sky Go with an eligible subscription | Channel 4 offers highlights rather than live coverage of the Sepang race |
| United States | Apple TV | Apple TV app and website; F1 TV Premium through the Apple subscription arrangement | Practice sessions are available without a paid Apple TV subscription; qualifying and the race require access |
| India | FanCode; TATA Play FanCode Sports is also listed as a broadcaster | FanCode; F1 TV Pro and Premium sold through FanCode | Check the chosen package: a standard FanCode pass and an F1 TV plan have different features |
| Australia | Fox Sports through Foxtel | Kayo Sports; eligible Foxtel streaming access | Live coverage includes practice, qualifying and the race |
| Canada | TSN in English; RDS in French | TSN website and app; RDS digital service with eligible access | TSN+ offers additional companion feeds; check the package for the main broadcast |
Channel assignments, subscription eligibility and programme schedules should be checked with the relevant provider.
United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1 and NOW
UK viewers can follow the Sepang weekend live on Sky Sports F1. Streaming is available through a NOW Sports Membership, while eligible Sky subscribers can watch through Sky Go.
Channel 4’s Formula 1 agreement includes qualifying and race highlights. Its free-to-air coverage should therefore be distinguished from the live Sepang broadcasts available through Sky Sports.
Sunday’s race starts at 08:00 BST. Friday practice begins at 05:30 BST, followed by FP2 at 09:00 BST.
United States: Apple TV and included F1 TV Premium
Apple TV is Formula 1’s US broadcaster in 2026, carrying practice, qualifying and races live and on demand. Viewers can use the Apple TV app or website on supported devices.
Apple also states that all practice sessions are available without a subscription. Access to the complete weekend, including qualifying and the Grand Prix, requires an Apple TV subscription unless the event is covered by a specific free promotion.
US subscribers can activate F1 TV Premium through their Apple TV subscription. That arrangement provides another way to access the coverage and additional viewing features without purchasing a separate standalone live plan.
The race starts at 03:00 EDT on Sunday, 4 October, or 00:00 PDT on the West Coast. FP1 takes place at 21:30 PDT on Thursday, 1 October, so Pacific viewers should pay attention to the local date.
India: FanCode and F1 TV plans
FanCode carries every practice session, qualifying and Grand Prix in India under its agreement with Formula 1. Fans can follow the event through its streaming platform with the appropriate pass.
F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium are also sold through FanCode. Viewers seeking onboard cameras, team radio or Premium’s additional viewing features should check which subscription they are selecting.
Sunday’s race begins at 12:30 IST. Friday’s sessions start at 10:00 IST for FP1 and 13:30 IST for FP2.
Australia: Fox Sports, Foxtel and Kayo
Australian viewers can watch Sepang live through Fox Sports on Foxtel or stream the weekend on Kayo Sports. Coverage includes practice, qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Foxtel’s Friday programme lists live coverage of both practice sessions. Broadcast programmes can begin before the cars leave the pit lane, so the television start time may differ from the official session start.
The race begins at 18:00 AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday. It starts at 17:00 AEST in Brisbane, 17:30 ACDT in Adelaide and 15:00 AWST in Perth.
Daylight saving begins in participating Australian states on Sunday, 4 October. Friday and Saturday’s conversions therefore use different offsets from Sunday in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Canada: TSN and RDS
TSN provides English-language coverage, while RDS carries the championship in French. Their 2026 coverage includes practice, qualifying and races, with digital viewing available through the relevant subscription services.
TSN+ also provides companion feeds, including onboard cameras and driver tracking. Fans should distinguish those additional streams from access to the main TSN broadcast when choosing a package.
The race starts at 03:00 EDT in Toronto and Montreal and 00:00 PDT in Vancouver on Sunday. Friday’s FP1 begins on Thursday evening in both Eastern and Pacific time.
Bahrain GP in Malaysia: key session times
| Session | Malaysia | UK | US / Canada Eastern | US / Canada Pacific | India | Sydney / Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 — Friday 2 October | 12:30 MYT | 05:30 BST | 00:30 EDT | Thursday 1, 21:30 PDT | 10:00 IST | 14:30 AEST |
| FP2 — Friday 2 October | 16:00 MYT | 09:00 BST | 04:00 EDT | 01:00 PDT | 13:30 IST | 18:00 AEST |
| FP3 — Saturday 3 October | 12:30 MYT | 05:30 BST | 00:30 EDT | Friday 2, 21:30 PDT | 10:00 IST | 14:30 AEST |
| Qualifying — Saturday 3 October | 16:00 MYT | 09:00 BST | 04:00 EDT | 01:00 PDT | 13:30 IST | 18:00 AEST |
| Race — Sunday 4 October | 15:00 MYT | 08:00 BST | 03:00 EDT | 00:00 PDT | 12:30 IST | 18:00 AEDT |
All dates are local to the locations shown. Sydney and Melbourne begin daylight saving time before Sunday’s race.
The remaining timetable details are available in the complete Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia schedule. The event retains Bahrain’s name despite taking place in Malaysia, as explained in the background to the race’s relocation to Sepang.
Does F1 TV Access include the live race?
F1 TV Access does not provide live Formula 1 race video. It includes timing, archive content and delayed replays, with replay availability depending on the territory.
Live coverage requires a suitable Pro or Premium plan where offered, or access through the local broadcaster. In the United States and India, viewers should follow the Apple TV and FanCode arrangements described above.
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia runs from 2–4 October, with Sunday’s race scheduled for 56 laps. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover practice, qualifying, results and developments throughout the weekend.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is F1 qualifying at Sepang?
Qualifying starts on Saturday, 3 October, at 16:00 Malaysia time. That is 09:00 BST in the UK, 04:00 EDT in New York and Toronto, 01:00 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver, 13:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEST in Sydney.
Did Lewis Hamilton receive a grid penalty for the Bortoleto incident?
No. Hamilton received a warning after impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during FP2 at Sepang. Ferrari was fined €10,000, but Hamilton will not lose grid positions over the incident.
Why were F1 lap times at Sepang over four seconds slower than expected?
Pirelli identified low grip, dust and an abrasive surface that increased tyre sliding and degradation. Friday’s benchmark was more than four seconds slower than its qualifying simulation reference, rather than four seconds slower than the 2017 race weekend.
Where can I watch the Bahrain GP in Malaysia in the US?
Apple TV carries the weekend live and on demand. Practice is available without a subscription, while full access includes qualifying and the race; Apple TV subscribers can also activate F1 TV Premium.
