Formula 1 has a truly surreal event in store for us. After a rather eventful weekend in Baku, the calendar takes us to an unprecedented situation: the Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. It's a strange move, as the race retains the name of the Arab country but takes place thousands of kilometers away, bringing the action back to a legendary track that hasn't been on the calendar for almost a decade.
This change of plans wasn't arbitrary; it was the only viable option because the war in the Middle East forced the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races earlier in the season. The Bahraini organizers have reached an agreement with Sepang to ensure the race takes place in a safe environment, while retaining control over ticket sales and related revenue .
Detailed calendar and schedules in Spain
If you want to follow the action from the sofa, keep in mind that Malaysia is far ahead of us in terms of time (six hours ahead of Spain), so the sessions will be held quite early in our country.
| Daytime | Session | Time |
| Friday October 2 | free practice 1 | 6:30 |
| Friday October 2 | free practice 2 | 10:00 |
| Saturday October 3 | free practice 3 | 6:30 |
| Saturday October 3 | Classification | 10:00 |
| Sunday October 4 | Career | 9:00 |
Television tuning and channels
For those of us in Spain, the process is the same as always. All the action can be followed on DAZN F1 , either through their own app or via Movistar+ and Vodafone TV packages . In addition, for those who prefer minute-by-minute coverage, RadioMARCA and the MARCA.com website will have live updates.
In the Americas, the channel will be available on ESPN via Disney+ , although in Argentina it will also be available on Fox Sports and in Mexico it can be tuned in through Izzio Sky.
Sepang circuit analysis
The Sepang circuit is a true technical gem located south of Kuala Lumpur. It hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix between 1999 and 2017 and is renowned for its exceptionally well-rounded nature . At 5.543 km long, it offers a perfect blend of long straights, heavy braking zones, and technical corners that will test any Formula 1 car.
A key factor here is the weather; stifling humidity and heat are the norm, but tropical storms can never be ruled out and can completely turn the race on its head . Among its most iconic features are the fast passage through turns 5 and 6, and the hairpin at turn 15 leading onto the start/finish straight.
Championship situation and historical data
As for the title fight, Kimi Antonelli continues to lead despite making a mistake in Q1 in Baku that dropped him to 5th. His teammate, George Russell, has managed to close the gap by winning the last race, now sitting 66 points behind the Italian.
On the other hand, the situation for the Spanish drivers is quite different. Fernando Alonso is going through a critical period with Aston Martin and the Honda engines, having suffered a power unit failure and penalties that left him very frustrated. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, managed to secure a tenth place in Azerbaijan after climbing from 14th position due to a yellow flag penalty.
Looking at the track record, Lewis Hamilton reigns supreme in Bahrain with five wins, followed by Vettel with four. However, at the Sepang circuit, Sebastian Vettel is the most successful driver with four victories . Of the current grid, Alonso dominates Sepang with three wins, while Hamilton and Verstappen each have one.
This weekend in Malaysia promises to be a total spectacle, combining the nostalgia of Sepang with the tension of a championship where Antonelli resists Russell's assault, while the Spanish drivers fight against technical adversity on a circuit where rain and heat decide everything.