What time will the Bahrain Grand Prix start? Latest updates and weather forecast after rain delays

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix - taking place in Malaysia - has been delayed by heavy rain this morning.

The race was initially due to get under way at 8am BST, only for the Sepang International Circuit to be soaked by an unrelenting downpour.

The rain finally started to ease and the formation lap was re-scheduled for 8:40am BST, after which the grand prix was expected to begin with Max Verstappen on pole position, though the wet track and any further rain always had the obvious potential to cause more disruption.

And so it proved, with starting procedures again suspended as problems ensued on the formation lap, with multiple cars and drivers experiencing issues in chaotic scenes before returning to the pit lane once more.

Kimi Antonelli will start third behind Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton as he seeks to extend his 66-point lead in the F1 Drivers’ Standings on Sunday.

At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, George Russell claimed an important victory over his Mercedes colleague, who was fifth, with a resurgent Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar completing the podium.

Antonelli had crashed out by hitting the wall in the first session of qualifying in Baku, leaving him in 16th position on the starting grid. Russell could only qualify seventh in Malaysia however amid a surprise lack of pace in his Silver Arrow on Saturday.

Work to do: George Russell could only qualify in seventh place in Malaysia

Getty

When is the Bahrain Grand Prix?

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix takes place today on Sunday, October 4 at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The race was due to start at 8am BST - 3pm local time - on Sunday, only for rain to delay proceedings. A new formation lap has been scheduled for 8:40am BST, after which the grand prix should get under way.

Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place in Malaysia?

The original Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix weekends were cancelled at the start of the year as a result of the US and Israel’s invasion of Iran in February.

As a result, the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was able to negoiate a deal that would revive the event, and as such, it will go ahead in Malaysia.

Geographically, a return to Sepang after a nine-year hiatus makes sense, with the drivers able to travel via Malaysia from Baku for the Sinagpore Grand Prix, which follows this race.

How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix

TV channel: In the UK, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix is available to watch live on Sky Sports. The main build-up starts at 6.30am BST on Sunday, with the race itself from 8am.

Coverage is also available throughout via Sky Sports Main Event.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the action live online through the Sky Go app.

Redemption: Kimi Antonelli will fancy his chances from third in Sepang

AFP/Getty

Bahrain Grand Prix weather forecast

There should not be risk of further deals in Sepang, where the weather should now brighten up with high temperatures of 32 degrees that will feel more like 39 with the extreme humidity. Plenty of cloud will remain.

Bahrain Grand Prix odds

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