Your complete guide to F1 Malaysia 2026 : Bahrain GP at Sepang

Formula 1 is back in Malaysia. After nearly a decade away, the world’s fastest racing series returns to Sepang International Circuit from 2 to 4 October 2026 under the banner of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026. The last time F1 cars raced at Sepang was 2017, when the circuit was still a fixture on the calendar. Back then, F1 had been a mainstay event at the Sepang International Circuit for the past 19 years, drawing crowds from across the region to watch the world’s best drivers battle in Malaysia’s heat and humidity. 

Whether you are a lifelong fan or someone who just wants to be part of the atmosphere, this guide covers everything. You will find the full schedule, ticket prices, how to get to the circuit, where to park, and how to pay for it all without fumbling for cash or cards. By the end, you will know exactly how to plan your race weekend. 

Why the Bahrain Grand Prix is happening at Sepang 

The 2026 F1 calendar originally scheduled the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit. However, security concerns in the region led to a relocation, and Sepang was selected to host the event. The race is a one-off move, which makes it the first F1 race on Malaysian soil in nine years. 

Sepang is one of the most technical circuits on the calendar. It is 5.543 km of long straights, sweeping corners and two punishing hairpins, all wrapped in Malaysia’s famously hot and humid weather. The 2026 edition runs for 56 laps, roughly 310 km in total, and arrives as part of a back-to-back-to-back with Azerbaijan and Singapore, which means the championship battle could be at its fiercest when the cars touch down at KLIA. 

F1 Malaysia 2026 schedule: what happens on each day 

Here is the full race weekend programme in local Malaysian time (GMT+8). All times are subject to change, so check the official channels closer to race day. 

Thursday, 1 October 2026 – The weekend starts early with a Pit Lane Walk for pass holders from 2.30 p.m to 4.30 p.m. This is the chance for F1 fans to get close to the cars and team garages before the action begins. 

Friday, 2 October 2026 Friday is practice day. Gates open at 09 a.m. Formula 1 first practice runs from 12.30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and second practice from 4 p.m.to 5 p.m., with the Formula Trophy Malaysia support series filling the gaps in between. 

Saturday, 3 October 2026 Saturday is where it gets serious. Formula Trophy Malaysia qualifying runs from 10.30 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Formula 1 third practice follows at 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. The first support race runs at 2.15 p.m to 2.45 p.m. The day peaks with Formula 1 qualifying from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., which decides the grid order for Sunday. 

Sunday, 4 October 2026 Race day. The second Formula Trophy Malaysia race runs from 11.45 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Formula 1 driver introductions happen at 1 p.m., the national anthem plays at 2.45 p.m, and the lights go out at 3 p.m. for the main event. The race lasts up to two hours. 

F1 Malaysia ticket price 2026: what it costs and what you get

 

Ticket prices for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia have been released, and there are special rates for Malaysians with a MyKad. 

Malaysian citizens can get General Admission access to the G hillstand for RM200 for the full three-day weekend. Reserved grandstand seating is available at RM1,291.40, also covering all three days. 

International visitors pay in US Dollars. Hillstand general admission access to areas B, C and K2 costs around  $259, while standard grandstands in sections like K1 and F start at $350. The main grandstand, which runs along the pit straight and gives you the clearest view of the start, finish and pit stops, is priced at $566. 

Children aged 3 to 6 get a 25% discount, and children 2 years and under 3 enter free. 

All tickets are digital passes delivered by email after identity verification and payment. They are non-transferable, so buy only through official channels such as the Formula 1 ticketing site or the event’s official ticketing portal. Avoid third-party sellers offering deals that look too good to be true, because resale without authorisation is not allowed. Grandstand seats along the main straight can sell out fast, so do not wait for a last-minute decision. 

How to pay for your F1 tickets 

You can pay for your F1 tickets using your TNG eWallet. Once you have selected your seats at checkout, look for the eWallet payment option and complete your purchase directly from your wallet balance. Keep your MyKad handy, because Malaysian pricing requires identity verification before your pass is issued. 

Getting to Sepang International Circuit

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) sits about 60km south of Kuala Lumpur city centre, right next to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). That location makes it convenient for outstation visitors but also means race weekend traffic can be brutal. Here are your options. 

By car. Driving is the most flexible option. From KL, take the ELITE or MEX highways towards KLIA and follow the signs for the circuit. Expect heavy traffic, especially on Sunday morning. If you are coming from Singapore, the drive via the North South Expressway takes roughly four to five hours. 

By train. The KLIA Ekspres runs from KL Sentral to the airport in about 28 minutes and costs RM55. From the airport, the circuit is a short Grab ride of about 10 to 15 minutes. This combo lets you skip the highway gridlock entirely. 

By ride-hailing. Grab, the Malaysian equivalent to Uber or Lyft,  is widely available around KL and the airport. From KLIA or KLIA2, expect to pay around RM30 to RM50 to reach the circuit. On race day, demand spikes and surge pricing can apply, so book early or pre-schedule your ride. 

By event shuttle. Organisers have run dedicated shuttle buses from hubs like KL Sentral and KLCC during major events in the past. These are affordable and drop you straight at the venue, but seats fill up quickly and schedules are fixed. Check the official event pages closer to race weekend for announcements. 

F1 Malaysia parking Sepang: where to park and how to pay 

The circuit has extensive parking areas spread across the venue, and bays are assigned based on where you are seated. Grandstand areas have dedicated bays nearby, while hillstand visitors park in outer zones. Spaces fill up quickly, so the general advice from regulars is to arrive early, sometimes before gates even open. 

Motorcycle parking is also available and is a popular choice for locals who want to dodge traffic. Two-wheelers can usually park closer to the entrances and weave through congestion that cars get stuck in. 

Payment-wise, many parking operators in Malaysia now support TNG eWallet. In car parks that use licence plate recognition, also known as LPR, your car plate is your parking pass. You drive in, the camera reads your plate, and and you can tap your Touch ‘n Go card to exit without fumbling for a physical ticket. There is no ticket to keep, no cash to dig out, and no queue at the payment machine. For Malaysians, you can register up to 10 vehicles in the LPR Parking feature inside the TNG eWallet app, which is handy if you are sharing the drive with family. 

Before race day, check whether the specific parking bay you are heading to supports eWallet or LPR payment. The last thing you want after a two-hour race is to be stuck at an exit barrier looking for a physical ticket. 

 

What to bring and how to survive the Sepang heat 

Sepang is hot and humid year round, and October is no exception. Even if the forecast says rain, which is always possible in Malaysia, the sun will do most of the talking. 

Wear light, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. The circuit is huge, and you may walk several kilometres between your grandstand, the food stalls and the fan zone. Bring a cap, sunglasses and sunscreen, and reapply throughout the day. A refillable water bottle is essential. 

Ear protection is worth considering, especially if you are bringing kids due to the amount of decibels F1 cars can output A light poncho or compact umbrella is also worth the space, because rain can arrive without warning at Sepang. 

Plan your food around the on-site stalls, which typically serve Malaysian favourites alongside international options. 

Where to stay for the F1 weekend 

Because the circuit is beside KLIA, the most convenient hotels are the airport properties. Sama Sama Hotel KLIA, Movenpick Hotel and Convention Centre KLIA and Tune Hotel KLIA Aeropolis are all within 10 to 15 minutes of the track. They range from premium to budget friendly, so there is something for most budgets. 

The trade-off is location. Staying near the airport means a short ride to the circuit but a long trip to the city. If you want to combine the race with a KL holiday, stay in the city centre and use the KLIA Ekspres plus a Grab to get to the circuit. Just remember that race day crowds make transport slower, so leave earlier than you think you need to.

You can also book your hotel directly through the Travel+ feature in the TNG eWallet app. It lets you search and compare stays, and you can pay straight from your eWallet balance, which keeps everything in one place without having to switching between apps.  If you’re a tourist coming to Malaysia, using TNG eWallet can make your time in Malaysia so much easier. 

 

Race day tips from people who have been

 

Ask any Sepang F1 regulars, and the advice they give you will likely be the same. Arrive early, way earlier than feels necessary. Gates open at 09a.m., and the hours before the support races are the calmest time to walk the circuit, find your seat and get food before the queues form. 

Do not leave the moment the chequered flag waves, because tens of thousands of people will have the same idea. Either pre-book your ride-hailing pickup in advance or wait out the initial rush with a meal at the fan zone. The traffic clears noticeably after 30 to 45 minutes. 

Keep your phone battery topped up. You will use it for tickets, maps, payments and photos. A power bank is the single most underrated item in any race day bag. 

Finally, bring cashless payment options. Everything from food stalls to merchandise booths is moving towards digital payments, and having TNG eWallet set up means you never have to queue at an ATM or worry about carrying cash. Top up your eWallet before you leave home so you are not relying on mobile data at the busiest moment of the day. 

 

The return of F1 to Malaysia is a big deal 

Malaysia hosted the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang from 1999 to 2017. It was the race that introduced the world to Malaysia’s motorsport culture, and it produced unforgettable moments, from Michael Schumacher’s emotional comeback in 1999 to Sebastian Vettel’s dominance in the final years. 

Now the circus is back, and a new generation of Malaysian fans gets to experience it in person. Because the 2026 race is a one-off relocation, there is no guarantee of when F1 will race in Malaysia again. If you have ever wanted to hear an F1 engine at full song from the grandstands, this is the moment. 

Start with your tickets. Once those are secured, everything else falls into place. Plan your transport, decide on your parking strategy, pack for the heat, and make sure your TNG eWallet is loaded for tickets, parking and food. Then all that is left is to enjoy the loudest weekend Malaysia has had in nine years. 

 

FAQs

When is F1 Malaysia 2026? 

F1 Malaysia 2026, officially the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, runs from 2 to 4 October 2026 at Sepang International Circuit. Practice takes place on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the main race starts at 3 p.m. Malaysian time on Sunday, 4 October. 

How much are F1 Malaysia 2026 tickets? 

For Malaysian citizens with a MyKad, three-day General Admission access to the G hillstand costs RM200, while grandstand seating is priced at RM1,291.40. International visitors pay $259 for hillstands, from $350 for standard grandstands, and $566 for the main grandstand. 

Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia? 

The Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Sepang International Circuit for 2026 due to security concerns in the original host region. Sepang was selected as the replacement venue, bringing Formula 1 back to Malaysia for the first time since 2017. 

How do I get to Sepang International Circuit? 

Sepang International Circuit is about 60km from Kuala Lumpur city centre and 10 to 15 minutes from KLIA. You can drive, take the KLIA Ekspres train from KL Sentral and then a short Grab ride, or use ride-hailing directly. Event shuttle buses from hubs like KL Sentral and KLCC have run during previous major events. 

Can I pay for parking at Sepang with TNG eWallet? 

Many car parks in Malaysia now accept multiple payment methods such as TNG eWallet, credit card, debit card and even QR payment, and licence plate recognition parking lets your car plate act as your parking pass so you can tap your Touch ‘n Go card to exit without a physical ticket. fees deducted automatically from your eWallet on exit. Check whether your assigned parking bay at the circuit supports eWallet or LPR payment before race day, and top up your wallet in advance.