Formula 1 has not had a fully wet qualifying session or race so far this season, but that could change this weekend when the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix takes place at Sepang International Circuit.
Malaysia’s Meteorological Department is forecasting isolated thunderstorms on Friday followed by isolated rain on Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures reaching around 33°C during the day and falling to 24°C to 25°C overnight.
The forecast does not point to a continuous washout. Instead, the main concern is the possibility of sudden tropical showers developing around the circuit and rapidly changing track conditions.
Friday Could Start With A Storm
Free Practice 1 begins at 1.30pm on Friday, with temperatures expected to be around 30°C to 31°C.
A thunderstorm during the afternoon session could leave teams with a damp or drying circuit, potentially limiting the amount of useful dry-weather running.
Free Practice 2 starts at 5pm when temperatures should be slightly lower. The rain risk is expected to ease, although showers remain possible.
Saturday Could Keep Qualifying Interesting
Free Practice 3 begins at 1.30pm on Saturday, with isolated rain possible.
The biggest question will be whether the circuit stays dry for qualifying at 5pm. While the afternoon rain risk is expected to be lower later in the day, a passing shower could leave parts of the track damp.
That could make grip levels unpredictable and turn qualifying into a matter of timing as much as outright pace.
Sunday Is The One To Watch
The race starts at 3pm on Sunday, with temperatures expected to be around 30°C to 31°C and isolated rain still possible.
If the race remains dry, Sepang’s usual heat and humidity will still put pressure on drivers and cars. But a sudden heavy shower could change the race almost instantly.
A wet section of track can create very different grip levels around the circuit, while heavier rain could bring the safety car into play or lead to a switch from slicks to intermediate or wet tyres.
Could 2026 Finally Get A Wet Race?
That is the big question heading into the weekend.
The weather forecast currently points to rain being possible rather than guaranteed, and conditions at the circuit can differ from the wider Sepang forecast.
But after an entirely dry F1 season so far, Sepang’s tropical weather could finally provide the wet-weather session that 2026 has been missing.
And if the rain arrives at the right time, it could make this one of the most unpredictable weekends of the season.
Read how to get to the track and what to pack here:
