Summary
- There is no F1 practice, qualifying or race on Wednesday, 30 September.
- FP1 begins on Friday at 12:30 in Malaysia, 05:30 in the UK and 00:30 on the US East Coast.
- The race starts on Sunday, 4 October, at 15:00 in Malaysia.
Formula 1 is not on track today, Wednesday, 30 September. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the championship heads to Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with the first practice session scheduled for Friday, 2 October.
FP1 begins at 12:30 local time in Malaysia. That is 05:30 BST in the UK, 00:30 EDT on the US East Coast, 10:00 IST in India and 14:30 AEST in Sydney. The session lasts one hour.
The event has a conventional Grand Prix schedule: two practice sessions on Friday, final practice and qualifying on Saturday, and the 56-lap race on Sunday. There is no Sprint. Readers looking for the date and context of the next round can also consult GRANDE PRÊMIO’s guide to the first F1 race after Azerbaijan.
What time does F1 practice start at Sepang?
| Session | Malaysia (MYT) | UK (BST) | US East Coast (EDT) | India (IST) | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 — Friday, 2 October | 12:30 | 05:30 | 00:30 | 10:00 | 14:30 AEST |
| FP2 — Friday, 2 October | 16:00 | 09:00 | 04:00 | 13:30 | 18:00 AEST |
| FP3 — Saturday, 3 October | 12:30 | 05:30 | 00:30 | 10:00 | 14:30 AEST |
| Qualifying — Saturday, 3 October | 16:00 | 09:00 | 04:00 | 13:30 | 18:00 AEST |
| Race — Sunday, 4 October | 15:00 | 08:00 | 03:00 | 12:30 | 18:00 AEDT |
Sydney changes to daylight saving time on Sunday, 4 October. Session times follow Formula 1’s published event schedule and remain subject to change.
Friday’s sessions will give teams their first competitive running at Sepang since Formula 1 last raced there in 2017. The circuit’s long straights, fast corners, heat and potential for sudden rain make practice particularly useful for establishing tyre behaviour and race setup. The return also follows the decision to hold the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The official race name may be confusing for anyone searching the calendar: the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia takes place at Sepang, not Sakhir. Qualifying begins at 16:00 local time on Saturday, while Sunday’s race starts at 15:00 local time.
F1 today: FAQ
Is there Formula 1 on today, 29 September?
No. There are no F1 track sessions on Tuesday. The next race weekend begins on Friday, 2 October, at Sepang in Malaysia.
When is the next F1 race?
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia takes place on Sunday, 4 October. It starts at 08:00 in the UK, 12:30 in India, 03:00 on the US East Coast and 18:00 in Sydney.
Are Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll staying at Aston Martin for 2027?
Yes. Aston Martin confirmed on Tuesday that both drivers have extended their contracts and will remain its race pairing beyond the 2026 season.
Is there Formula 1 today, Wednesday, 30 September?
No. There are no F1 track sessions on Wednesday. Practice begins on Friday, 2 October.
