KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has confirmed that the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) in Malaysia 2026 will be held in the afternoon, dismissing speculation that the race would take place under floodlights.
SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif clarified the matter following speculation on social media that the race at the SIC on Oct 4 would be staged at night.
“The race will be held in the afternoon, not at night,” he told Bernama in a brief response.
Speculation surfaced on social media after users shared information from the official Formula 1 app indicating that the Oct 4 race was scheduled from 8 pm to 10 pm local track time.
A check by Bernama found that the track timing displayed on the F1 app remained unchanged as of press time.
Last Sunday, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from Oct 2 to 4 following an agreement signed between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The agreement allows the Bahrain GP to remain on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race in question was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian GP in Sepang from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar.
Throughout its 19-year run, the Malaysian GP was always held in the afternoon, although several current Formula 1 races, including the Singapore and Las Vegas GPs, are staged at night. — Bernama
