Summary
- MotoGP starts first at Motegi, followed two hours later by Formula 1 at Sepang on Sunday, 4 October.
- Marc Márquez can take the MotoGP championship lead, while Max Verstappen starts the F1 race alongside Lewis Hamilton.
- North American viewers face overnight starts, while Australian fans must account for Sunday’s daylight-saving change.
Marc Márquez races first in Japan, then Max Verstappen leads the Formula 1 field away in Malaysia. Sunday, 4 October, brings two Grands Prix with starts separated by two hours, giving fans a chance to follow both championships in one viewing session.
The MotoGP race begins at 14:00 in Japan, followed by the Formula 1 race at 15:00 in Malaysia. Japan is one hour ahead of Malaysia, so those local start times translate into a two-hour gap.
For UK viewers, the sequence begins at 06:00 BST, with F1 following at 08:00. India receives a late-morning MotoGP start and an early-afternoon F1 race, while fans in North America will need to stay up late or set an alarm.
Sunday’s F1 and MotoGP race times
The table shows race starts, rather than the beginning of television coverage. Dates are local to each location.
| Country or region | Japanese MotoGP race | Bahrain GP in Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sun 4 Oct, 06:00 BST | Sun 4 Oct, 08:00 BST |
| US — New York and Miami | Sun 4 Oct, 01:00 EDT | Sun 4 Oct, 03:00 EDT |
| US — Chicago | Sun 4 Oct, 00:00 CDT | Sun 4 Oct, 02:00 CDT |
| US — Denver | Sat 3 Oct, 23:00 MDT | Sun 4 Oct, 01:00 MDT |
| US — Los Angeles | Sat 3 Oct, 22:00 PDT | Sun 4 Oct, 00:00 PDT |
| Canada — Toronto and Montreal | Sun 4 Oct, 01:00 EDT | Sun 4 Oct, 03:00 EDT |
| Canada — Vancouver | Sat 3 Oct, 22:00 PDT | Sun 4 Oct, 00:00 PDT |
| India | Sun 4 Oct, 10:30 IST | Sun 4 Oct, 12:30 IST |
| Australia — Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart | Sun 4 Oct, 16:00 AEDT | Sun 4 Oct, 18:00 AEDT |
| Australia — Brisbane | Sun 4 Oct, 15:00 AEST | Sun 4 Oct, 17:00 AEST |
| Australia — Adelaide | Sun 4 Oct, 15:30 ACDT | Sun 4 Oct, 17:30 ACDT |
| Australia — Darwin | Sun 4 Oct, 14:30 ACST | Sun 4 Oct, 16:30 ACST |
| Australia — Perth | Sun 4 Oct, 13:00 AWST | Sun 4 Oct, 15:00 AWST |
The programme remains subject to changes by the organisers.
Los Angeles and Vancouver viewers should note the date change: MotoGP begins on Saturday evening, while F1 starts at midnight as Sunday begins. In Sydney and Melbourne, both races use AEDT because daylight saving starts before Sunday’s racing.
Where to watch F1 and MotoGP
The championships have different broadcasters in several countries. Having access to one race therefore does not automatically provide access to the other.
| Country | Japanese MotoGP | Bahrain GP in Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports; HBO Max with TNT Sports access | Sky Sports F1; NOW or eligible Sky streaming access |
| United States | FOX Sports; check FS1/FS2 allocation | Apple TV — this race is listed as free to watch |
| India | FanCode | FanCode; F1 TV plans available through FanCode |
| Australia | Fox Sports/Foxtel; Kayo Sports | Fox Sports/Foxtel; Kayo Sports |
| Canada | Sportsnet streaming coverage | TSN in English; RDS in French |
Subscription requirements and channel assignments depend on the provider. MotoGP VideoPass is another option for live motorcycle racing and replays, subject to availability.
The Japanese MotoGP viewing guide and Bahrain GP television and streaming guide provide more detail about each championship’s coverage.
US viewers can watch the F1 race free on Apple TV
Apple TV lists the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as free to watch in the United States. Its coverage begins at 01:50 EDT on Sunday, ahead of the 03:00 EDT race start.
On the Pacific coast, that means coverage begins at 22:50 PDT on Saturday, with the race following at midnight. Viewers can use the Apple TV app or website on supported devices.
This is a specific free offer for the event. It should be distinguished from Apple TV’s general subscription trial, and it does not provide access to the separate MotoGP broadcast.
Can Marc Márquez take the championship lead at Motegi?
Márquez trails Jorge Martín by seven points after winning Saturday’s Sprint. Martín has 313 points and Márquez 306, putting the lead within reach during Sunday’s 24-lap Japanese Grand Prix.
If Márquez wins and Martín finishes second, Martín remains ahead by two points. A Márquez victory with Martín third or lower would reverse their championship positions.
There are also combinations that allow Márquez to take the lead without winning. Second place for Márquez and fourth for Martín would leave them tied, with Márquez moving ahead through the Grand Prix victory tiebreak.
Martín starts from pole position, but tyre management adds uncertainty after Michelin withdrew the soft rear tyre following problems in the Sprint.
Verstappen and Hamilton share the Sepang front row
Verstappen starts the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia from pole, with Hamilton alongside him. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli starts third after the application of Isack Hadjar’s grid penalty.
The race is scheduled for 56 laps, with tyre degradation making strategy an important part of the contest. Mercedes is seeking a recovery after a difficult qualifying session, while Ferrari must balance its race pace against its straight-line speed deficit.
The two-hour gap between race starts should allow fans to follow MotoGP before switching to F1. However, a delayed start, red flag or other interruption at Motegi could alter that sequence, so viewers should keep an eye on live programme updates.
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.
MotoGP continues this weekend, from 2–4 October, in Japan. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Motegi.
FAQ
Which race starts first on Sunday, F1 or MotoGP?
MotoGP starts first. The Japanese Grand Prix begins two hours before the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: 06:00 and 08:00 BST in the UK, respectively.
