Race Ready: Bahrain F1 Schedule and Travel Guide

Welcome to the Race Ready for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix on 10-12 April 2026. We’re here to ensure you have all the information available at your fingertips to enable you to get the most out of your live motorsport experience.

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Bahrain F1 Grand Prix weekend schedule

2026 sees the Bahrain Grand Prix celebrate its 22nd anniversary – yes it’s been that long already! This Sunday night race is also one of the most spectacular and most affordable. Hearing Formula 1 cars roar into the Arabian night is a truly spine-tingling experience.

You can view the race weekend schedule below.

FRIDAY 10 APRIL

LOCAL TIME (GMT+3) | UK TIME (GMT+1) | SERIES | SESSION
09:45 | 07:45 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
10:55 | 08:55 | FORMULA 3 | PRACTICE SESSION
12:05 | 10:05 | FORMULA 2 | PRACTICE SESSION
14:30 | 12:30 | FORMULA 1 | FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
16:00 | 14:00 | FORMULA 3 | QUALIFYING SESSION
16:55 | 16:55 | FORMULA 2 | QUALIFYING SESSION
18:00 | 16:00 | FORMULA 1 | SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
19:30 | 17:30 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | SECOND PRACTICE SESSION

SATURDAY 11 APRIL

LOCAL TIME (GMT+3) | UK TIME (GMT+1) | SERIES | SESSION
12:05 | 10:05 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | QUALIFYING SESSION
13:15 | 11:15 | FORMULA 3 | SPRINT RACE
15:30 | 13:30 | FORMULA 1 | THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
17:15 | 15:15 | FORMULA 2 | SPRINT RACE
19:00 | 17:00 | FORMULA 1 | QUALIFYING
20:45 | 18:45 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | FIRST RACE

SUNDAY 12 APRIL

LOCAL TIME (GMT+3) | UK TIME (GMT+1) | SERIES | SESSION
11:30 | 09:30 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST | SECOND RACE
12:55 | 10:55 | FORMULA 3 | FEATURE RACE
14:25 | 12:25 | FORMULA 2 | FEATURE RACE
18:00 | 16:00 | FORMULA 1 | BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

Support races at the Bahrain Grand Prix

​The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will serve as the second round of the new junior racing season, featuring F2 and F3 Sprint and Feature races alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East and the main Formula 1 event.

Bahrain Grand Prix Music Lineup

Martin Garrix will headline the Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 with a huge live show on Friday 10 April.

The multi-platinum DJ takes to the stage in Sakhir as part of race weekend, with the concert included for all Grand Prix ticket holders at no extra cost.

Bahrain International Circuit Track Map

Use our handy track map to plan your trip as best you can. You can download the image or take a screenshot to have it to hand during the Grand Prix weekend.

Where is the best place to sit at the Bahrain Grand Prix

It is essential to have your priorities in order when planning your trip to a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Use the map above to help you in your planning.

Firstly, you will need to know what your budget is. The Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the more pocket-friendly races in the region, so maybe you can stretch to the best view in house at the Main Grandstand for £368? From here you’ll see the start/finish line, the podium and the cars at top speed as the hurtle down the straight.

If budget is the main concern, then your options still provide good views of the action. The University and Victory Grandstands sit at each end of the Main Straight.

Guide to F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Grandstands

Maybe there are other things to factor in. Is it important to be within dashing distance of the concerts after a day at the track? Are you desperate to see the awards ceremony with a good view of the podium? Are you responsible for children or other racegoers who may need to make a quick getaway?

These are all questions to factor in ahead of purchasing your Grand Prix tickets.

Getting to the Bahrain Grand Prix track

There are direct flights to Bahrain from many major European cities, such as London and Paris, which take around six hours. These flights can also be very reasonable when booked in advance, and even more so if you’re willing to accept a layover.

There are no direct flights from the USA to Bahrain. However, most US visitors to this island Arab nation opt to fly to Abu Dhabi or Dubai and then take a short flight to Bahrain from there. This is also the case for fans traveling from Australia.

Many hotels provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport. It is worth checking this service when booking your accommodation. Once you’re on the island of Bahrain, taxi is the best way to get around. Taxis are reasonably prices, air conditioned, notoriously clean and often provide free wifi too. There is also now the option of Uber.

Buses are a more budget-friendly option, but they do not arrive all the way to the circuit. The A2 bus comes close, and runs from the airport, through the capital Manama to within 3km of the track.

Free shuttle buses link the Bahrain International Circuit with the following hotels:

Al Seef (The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Nordic Palace & Spa- Seef, Ibis Seef Manama)

Al Juffair (Gulf Hotel, The K Hotel, The Olive Hotel)

Diplomatic Area (InterContinental Regency Bahrain, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Ibis Styles Manama Diplomatic Area)

Sakhir: Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

If you are not staying in one of these hotels, you may still be able to use the services if you show your Formula 1 tickets.

Bahrain International Circuit Track Stats

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT | TRACK STATS
FIRST GRAND PRIX | 2004
LAP LENGTH | 5.412 km
LAP RECORD | 1:31.447 – Pedro de la Rosa (2005)
LAPS | 57
RACE DISTANCE | 308.238 km
TURNS | 16

Where to stay at the Bahrain Grand Prix

The main form of accommodation in Bahrain, as in much of the Middle East, is hotels. AirBnb and rented apartments aren’t as popular in this region. However, there is a wealth of options for international visitors.

The capital city of this tiny nation is Manama. Here you will find plenty of reasonably priced hotel options. The airport and the circuit sit either side of the city, so a central location will put racegoers within a manageable distance of both. This also coincides with the largest concentration of hotels.

There are also free shuttle buses to and from the circuit to a number of Bahrain hotels (see list above) over the race week. This may be worth paying a little extra for then you don’t have to worry about taking taxis on the race weekend.

Important Information

Emergencies

If you encounter an emergency situation during your trip, you should call the following number:

999

Good to Know

The local currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD). The exchange rate is around 1 GBP to 0.50 BHD. All goods and services are paid in the local currency.

The official language is Arabic but the vast majority of people speak good English.

Prohibited Items at the Bahrain International Circuit (no. 9 in T&Cs)

Customer Service

If you require assistance during the race weekend, feel free to contact our customer service team through the Motorsport Tickets Help Centre.

FAQs

If you have some more queries or would like more information, head over to our FAQs section.

F1 2026 calendar: when do tickets go on sale?