Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026Formula 1 

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Jimlaad43

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Originally scheduled for the 12th of April, the Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed earlier this year due to Trump's insane war against Iran making travel to the Middle East too dangerous for drivers, staff, fans and a big event being an easy target for Iranian missiles. As such, the four races in the region have been in jeopardy, with there looking like no chance of Saudi Arabia going ahead, and Qatar and Abu Dhabi still holding on hoping to exist. Bahrain, however, were the first proactive organisers, accepting an alternate venue to host their race, with Sepang in Malaysia being paid by Bahrain to host their Grand Prix as almost an extended naming rights sponsorship. This is by no means the first time a track has hosted a Grand Prix for a geographic region it does not exist in, with the Swiss, San Marino, Luxembourg and European Grand Prix all being hosted outside their borders at some point. Sepang hasn't been on the F1 calendar since 2017, with the circuit not willing to host the races due to a lack of spectator numbers and interest in the Malaysia. This random bonus race a week before Singapore gives the track a great case study to see if the eminently popular Tilkedrome will have burgeoning ambitions to get back into F1, now the Netflix boom has skyrocketed the popularity and value of the sport. Kimi Antonelli leads the driver's championship by 66 points as we head here. There are 5-7 races after Bahraysia, so he moves closer to the title, although George Russell's 3rd win of the season in Baku did at least start to close the gap to the Italian. Max Verstappen is the defending winner at this circuit, will this be the time he gets Red Bull's first win this year? We will find out at the BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA!
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Circuit Length
5.543km

First Grand Prix
1999

Number of Laps
56

Fastest lap time
1:34.080 Sebastian Vettel (2017)

Race Distance
310.398km

 
Worth noting that of the seven drivers still mathematically in it for the title (Barely for a couple), only two of them have experience at Sepang..and they are the ones that finished 1-2 at the final Malaysian Grand Prix.
 
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Mercedes revealed their Special livery for Bahrain GP in Malaysia
 
Forgot how awesome this track is. Watching FP1 right now.
We might get really good racing here on Sunday I think.
 
I have arrived to Malaysia yesterday. While I sitting here in hotel and have to watch FP1 & FP2 in my laptop, I’ll be there wearing white (for tomorrow) and black (for the race day) Mercedes shirts. See you in tomorrow and the race day.
:gtpflag:
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Tomorrow looks spicy with the Mercs so far back (by their standards), maybe they'll have to wait until after lap 20 to take the lead.
 
I’d hope for Lewis to take it, but realistically expecting a Max/Kimi battle.
 
I didn't see Lewis qualifying as high as he did because he seemed nowhere compared to Charles. Perhaps track experience is playing a factor here.

Looking at the top 4 teams, their long runs seemed fairly even with maybe red bull having a slight edge. Ultimately I think this will come down to who can handle the tire deg better and pull the right strategy to deal with it....in other words, I can see Max winning this one 🤔
 
Today Aston Martin progressed into Q2, wonder what upgrade they done to actually improve the car.
 
AshenGraey
I didn't see Lewis qualifying as high as he did because he seemed nowhere compared to Charles. Perhaps track experience is playing a factor here.

Looking at the top 4 teams, their long runs seemed fairly even with maybe red bull having a slight edge. Ultimately I think this will come down to who can handle the tire deg better and pull the right strategy to deal with it....in other words, I can see Max winning this one 🤔
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The Ferraris are very good in hot temps too, but yeah what a qualifying session. Red Bull upgrades have been effective.
 
Max and Lewis on the front row warms my heart.
 
Two great champions in first row, finally we have something that F1 must have!

Only that race stays theirs fight for win, and no Mercedes near!
I'm really, really sick of them this seasons.
 
It just started raining really hard. Wouldn't be surprised if we see a delayed start.

Edit: It calmed down a bit, this looks raceable
Edit 2: And quite hard again, doubting it now. Delay looks more likely now, certainly at least an SC start
 
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Jean Alesi summed it up perfectly. This is what we all wanted to see!

Welp, delayed start confirmed
 
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how much do we wanna bet the race gets cancelled today...
 
Medical car can barely keep it on track 😅
 
FIA is s 🤣
 
NASCAR has a fleet of trucks with a vacuum boom mounted on the back and the worlds premier motorsport sends guys out on the track with their mom's broom.
 
zaxs
FIA is s 🤣
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Not really the fault of the FIA is it. The drivers collectively agree that if they can't see where they're going then they can't race.
 
IforceV8
NASCAR has a fleet of trucks with a vacuum boom mounted on the back and the worlds premier motorsport sends guys out on the track with their mom's broom.
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Thats because NASCAR never drives in the rain, even if it is a light sprinkle.
Those vehicles also live at the track.
The FIA cant haul those vehicles around the world.
 
Love to see the weather hasn't dampened the fan's attitude at the track! It seems Malaysia really is ready for F1 to return.
 
10 minute warning for start. Looks like they're not waiting for it to be fully dry!

Edit: plan is 2 laps behind safety car, then a standing start
 
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And we continue one of the oddest stats in F1
After 3 and a half seasons, 83 race starts, 28 podiums, 9 race wins and a title challenge, Oscar Piastri has never raced on the wet tyre compound
 
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