Summary
- Verstappen starts from pole alongside Hamilton, with Antonelli third.
- The Bahrain GP in Malaysia begins on Sunday, 4 October, at 15:00 local time.
- Apple TV offers the race free in the US, with other viewing options depending on the country.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton lead the grid for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, setting up a front-row contest as Formula 1 returns to Sepang for the first time since 2017. The race starts on 4 October at 15:00 Malaysia time.
For the main English-speaking markets, lights out is at 08:00 BST in the UK, 03:00 EDT in eastern US and Canada, 12:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne. Viewers on the US and Canadian west coast can watch from midnight as Saturday turns into Sunday.
What time does the Bahrain GP in Malaysia start?
The table below lists race start times, rather than the beginning of television coverage. All entries refer to Sunday, 4 October 2026.
| Country / location | Race start | Time zone |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia — Sepang | 15:00 | MYT |
| United Kingdom | 08:00 | BST |
| United States — New York / Miami | 03:00 | EDT |
| United States — Chicago | 02:00 | CDT |
| United States — Denver | 01:00 | MDT |
| United States — Los Angeles | 00:00 | PDT |
| Canada — Toronto / Montreal | 03:00 | EDT |
| Canada — Vancouver | 00:00 | PDT |
| India | 12:30 | IST |
| Australia — Sydney / Melbourne / Canberra / Hobart | 18:00 | AEDT |
| Australia — Brisbane | 17:00 | AEST |
| Australia — Adelaide | 17:30 | ACDT |
| Australia — Darwin | 16:30 | ACST |
| Australia — Perth | 15:00 | AWST |
Daylight saving begins in participating Australian states on Sunday, 4 October. Sydney and Melbourne therefore use AEDT for the race, while Brisbane remains on AEST. Adelaide switches to ACDT, and Perth remains on AWST.
Where to watch the Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Broadcast rights differ by country. Fans should select the service available in their territory and distinguish access to the main race broadcast from highlights or additional feeds.
| Country | Main live coverage | Streaming options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event | NOW Sports; eligible Sky streaming access |
| United States | Apple TV — free for this event | Apple TV app and website |
| India | FanCode | FanCode; F1 TV Pro or Premium through FanCode |
| Australia | Fox Sports through Foxtel | Kayo Sports; eligible Foxtel streaming access |
| Canada | TSN in English; RDS in French | TSN and RDS digital services with appropriate access |
United Kingdom: Sky Sports and NOW
Sky Sports F1 and Main Event carry Sunday’s race live, with build-up beginning at 06:30 BST and lights out at 08:00. Eligible Sky subscribers can stream the coverage, while NOW offers Sports passes for viewers without a Sky television package.
Channel 4 provides highlights. Its coverage should be distinguished from the live race broadcast.
United States: free coverage on Apple TV
Apple TV lists the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as free to watch in the United States. Viewers can access the race through the Apple TV app or website on supported devices.
Coverage begins at 01:50 Eastern, ahead of the 03:00 EDT race start. On the west coast, that means coverage begins at 22:50 PDT on Saturday, 3 October, with the race starting at midnight.
This event’s free availability is separate from Apple TV’s usual subscription offer. Fans should open the Bahrain race listing in the platform’s Formula 1 section.
India: FanCode
Indian viewers can follow the race through FanCode, with lights out at 12:30 IST. Access depends on the selected pass or subscription.
FanCode also offers F1 TV Pro and Premium plans. Viewers seeking additional features should check which product they are purchasing.
Australia: Fox Sports and Kayo
Australian fans can watch through Fox Sports on Foxtel or Kayo Sports. The race starts at 18:00 in Sydney and Melbourne, making it an evening event on the day daylight saving begins.
The different state time zones are particularly important this weekend: Brisbane starts at 17:00, Adelaide at 17:30 and Perth at 15:00.
Canada: TSN and RDS
TSN carries English-language coverage, while RDS provides French-language coverage. Digital viewing is available through the relevant service and subscription.
The race begins at 03:00 in Toronto and Montreal and 00:00 in Vancouver. Check the provider’s race listing when choosing access, as companion feeds and the main broadcast can have different subscription requirements.
The complete television and streaming guide from GRANDE PRÊMIO provides further details about the viewing options.
Who starts at the front in Sepang?
Verstappen secured pole with 1:35.130, finishing 0.298s ahead of Hamilton. Antonelli advances to third following Hadjar’s five-place grid penalty, with Charles Leclerc starting fourth.
The Sepang starting grid after the penalties also accounts for the setbacks affecting Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad.
Sunday’s race is scheduled for 56 laps, with tyre degradation adding another dimension to the contest. Starting position gives Verstappen an advantage, but pit-stop timing and the ability to preserve the tyres will influence the outcome.
Formula 1 returns this weekend, from 2–4 October, to Malaysia, which hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang.
