Bahrain Grand Prix to return at Malaysia's Sepang circuit with historic stats

Round 16 of the championship will see the Bahrain Grand Prix staged at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit, the first Formula One race there since the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. The 5.543-kilometre layout will be run over 56 laps, totaling 310.398 km. Sepang, adjacent to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, is known for its long straights, tight corners and sudden afternoon downpours that could lead to a fully wet race, a first for the 2026 season.

Historical data shows Ferrari winning seven of the 19 events held at the venue, with nine winners starting from pole, and the lowest grid position for a win being eighth by Fernando Alonso in 2012. Only ten drivers on one outlet grid have experience at Sepang, among them champions Alonso, Hamilton and Verstappen, while Red Bull secured the last two victories in 2016 and 2017.