For the first time since 2017, Formula 1 returns to Sepang this weekend, but it will carry the name of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The event replaces the race in the Middle East that was skipped earlier in the season, and forms part of the triple header in the east. Kimi Antonelli enters the pre-event odds as the favorite for victory, despite a mishap in Azerbaijan last weekend. His senior, George Russell, closed the gap in the Drivers’ Championship and finds himself as the second favorite to bag the checkered flag in round 16.
After reading, check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your bets.
In addition to traditional sports betting on F1, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 offers Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and real-money gaming in a Pick’Em style onUnderdog.
FanDuel
Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days
Schedule and How to Watch the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix
Prepare yourself for some late nights and early mornings stateside this weekend, as there is a 12-hour time difference between EDT and the race venue. This weekend follows a regular schedule, with no sprint and three practice sessions. Teams will call the Sepang International Circuit home from Friday, October 2, until Sunday, October 4. The weekend draws to a close on Sunday following the 3:00 pm MYT Grand Prix, which is 3:00 am back on the East Coast. Follow all the sessions in Malaysia for the first time in nine years, live on Apple TV.
Odds Subject to Change
Please note, the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article: Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change?. Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.
Live Formula 1 Odds
2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Odds
Race Winner Odds
As he has done for most of the season, Kimi Antonelli enters the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix as the favorite for victory at +135. The Italian youngster had a mishap during qualifying last weekend and started 16th, but surged up the field to finish fifth. He is the winningest driver on the grid this campaign with eight victories and averages 2.40 in his last five starts.
Sticking with Mercedes drivers, George Russell was outstanding in Azerbaijan. He believes his vehicle possesses the perfect balance of high downforce and low drag to dominate the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. Max Verstappen was the last driver to enter Victory Lane at this circuit, and he has the experience, skills, and speed to do it again. One area that might count against him is the high tire degradation that this track is renowned for. However, the four-time Drivers’ Champion fought hard in the last round and eventually fell 0.160 seconds short of victory, but he starts this weekend with three runner-up finishes in the previous five rounds.
swipe to see more
Driver
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Kimi Antonelli
+135
$47.00
George Russell
+250
$70.00
Max Verstappen
+650
$150.00
Lando Norris
+700
$160.00
Charles Leclerc
+1300
$280.00
Lewis Hamilton
+1300
$280.00
Oscar Piastri
+1500
$320.00
Isack Hadjar
+2500
$520.00
Pierre Gasly
+40000
$8,020.00
Alex Albon
+50000
$10,020.00
Arvid Lindblad
+50000
$10,020.00
Carlos Sainz
+50000
$10,020.00
Esteban Ocon
+50000
$10,020.00
Franco Colapinto
+50000
$10,020.00
Gabriel Bortoleto
+50000
$10,020.00
Liam Lawson
+50000
$10,020.00
Nico Hulkenberg
+50000
$10,020.00
Oliver Bearman
+50000
$10,020.00
Fernando Alonso
+80000
$16,020.00
Lance Stroll
+80000
$16,020.00
Sergio Perez
+80000
$16,020.00
Valtteri Bottas
+80000
$16,020.00
Expert Pick
With the way Kimi Antonelli is driving at the moment, he makes our job easy for the expert pick heading into Sepang. He is driving a balanced car, with the right chassis and power unit for Sepang, and has won 40% of his last 10 outings. The Italian’s odds are short for a valid reason at +135, where a $20.00 bet stands to pay out $47.00.
Podium Odds
If Max Verstappen can manage his tires well, he will offer punters excellent value for a podium finish this weekend. He enters at +120, despite registering seven podiums in the past 11 races. Six of those results have come since Austria. The Dutchman’s junior teammate, Isack Hadjar, is also worth a look, after he finished third last weekend, despite sitting on the sidelines for the preceding three races. The Frenchman has two podiums to his name in 2026, but will need a lot to go his way if he is to wrestle with the top three spots again.
Lando Norris is a five-time rostrum finisher this season and is looking for redemption after he was taken out by Franco Colapinto last weekend. Despite the accident, the Brit never looked like a top-three finisher in Azerbaijan, and his car does not have the speed for the Malaysian track. Charles Leclerc has his best chance to get back on the podium this week, as his SF-26 is brilliant at managing tires and carries high downforce and stability. The issue that he and Lewis Hamilton will face is speed on the straights. Combined, the duo have collected nine rostrums this year, but the last one was back in Belgium, courtesy of Leclerc.
swipe to see more
Driver
Podium Odds
Payout on $20
Kimi Antonelli
-450
$24.44
George Russell
-250
$28.00
Max Verstappen
+120
$44.00
Lando Norris
+125
$45.00
Charles Leclerc
+250
$70.00
Lewis Hamilton
+250
$70.00
Oscar Piastri
+275
$75.00
Isack Hadjar
+500
$120.00
Pierre Gasly
+10000
$2,020.00
Alex Albon
+25000
$5,020.00
Arvid Lindblad
+25000
$5,020.00
Carlos Sainz
+25000
$5,020.00
Esteban Ocon
+25000
$5,020.00
Franco Colapinto
+25000
$5,020.00
Gabriel Bortoleto
+25000
$5,020.00
Liam Lawson
+25000
$5,020.00
Nico Hulkenberg
+25000
$5,020.00
Oliver Bearman
+25000
$5,020.00
Fernando Alonso
+50000
$10,020.00
Lance Stroll
+50000
$10,020.00
Sergio Perez
+50000
$10,020.00
Valtteri Bottas
+50000
$10,020.00
Pole Position Odds
George Russell added his fifth pole of the season in Baku, taking his team’s tally to 11 this season. He is now one fast qualification shy of his junior teammate, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Championship with six. Both drivers have registered a 30% success rate in the last 10 rounds. The Italian wunderkind last started from the front slot on the grid before the summer break, registering a best of second in Madrid, since returning from recess.
Lando Norris carries the third most pole positions this year, totalling three. All of those have arrived in the previous five rounds, but his MCL40 does not suit the Sepang layout, and “Last Lap Lando” will need all the luck he can get to top qualifying. Max Verstappen enters with an outside chance of claiming pole, as his car has the speed and he knows how to win on this track, but the Red Bull star has only managed second on three occasions in qualifying this year, falling behind Antonelli every time.
swipe to see more
Driver
Pole Position Odds
Payout on $20
Kimi Antonelli
+175
$55.00
George Russell
+200
$60.00
Lando Norris
+650
$150.00
Max Verstappen
+650
$150.00
Charles Leclerc
+900
$200.00
Lewis Hamilton
+1000
$220.00
Oscar Piastri
+1500
$320.00
Isack Hadjar
+5000
$1,020.00
Pierre Gasly
+25000
$5,020.00
Alex Albon
+50000
$10,020.00
Arvid Lindblad
+50000
$10,020.00
Carlos Sainz
+50000
$10,020.00
Esteban Ocon
+50000
$10,020.00
Fernando Alonso
+50000
$10,020.00
Franco Colapinto
+50000
$10,020.00
Gabriel Bortoleto
+50000
$10,020.00
Lance Stroll
+50000
$10,020.00
Liam Lawson
+50000
$10,020.00
Nico Hulkenberg
+50000
$10,020.00
Oliver Bearman
+50000
$10,020.00
Sergio Perez
+50000
$10,020.00
Valtteri Bottas
+50000
$10,020.00
Fastest Lap
In the last two race weekends, George Russell has departed the track with a DHL Fastest Lap Award. It’s his only two of the season, but it shows that he means business. He has watched his younger companion lead the contest all year, and he wants a piece of that action. The momentum is with “Mr. Saturday” right now, and his car has the speed and balance to give him a third award by the end of Sunday.
His biggest challenger in this department will be his colleague, Kimi Antonelli, who has registered seven fastest laps this term. He last achieved the feat in Italy, meaning Mercedes has three in a row leading into the Bahrain Grand Prix. Max Verstappen lines up as the third favorite for the prize and has looked dangerous in recent rounds, but his only award of the year came in Melbourne on opening weekend. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc start with two quickest laps to their names, but neither appears to have the power to produce a perfect run in Malaysia.
swipe to see more
Driver
Fastest Lap Odds
Payout on $20
Kimi Antonelli
+200
$60.00
George Russell
+250
$70.00
Max Verstappen
+600
$140.00
Lando Norris
+900
$200.00
Charles Leclerc
+1000
$220.00
Lewis Hamilton
+1000
$220.00
Oscar Piastri
+1200
$260.00
Isack Hadjar
+2200
$460.00
Pierre Gasly
+6500
$1,320.00
Alex Albon
+10000
$2,020.00
Arvid Lindblad
+10000
$2,020.00
Carlos Sainz
+10000
$2,020.00
Esteban Ocon
+10000
$2,020.00
Franco Colapinto
+10000
$2,020.00
Gabriel Bortoleto
+10000
$2,020.00
Liam Lawson
+10000
$2,020.00
Nico Hulkenberg
+10000
$2,020.00
Oliver Bearman
+10000
$2,020.00
Fernando Alonso
+25000
$5,020.00
Lance Stroll
+25000
$5,020.00
Sergio Perez
+25000
$5,020.00
Valtteri Bottas
+25000
$5,020.00
Race Winning Car Odds
Unsurprisingly, Mercedes touches down in Southeast Asia as the short-odds favorite to deliver the winning car. For starters, they’ve claimed 11 of the opening 15 rounds this year, including the last three on the trot. In addition, their vehicle has the right balance of speed and downforce to navigate the corners and straights of Sepang. They will prove tough to beat in Malaysia, but anything is possible.
McLaren line up as the second favorites, but they appear to lack the speed needed to thrive on the eight straights at this track. The Woking-based team has reportedly averaged 6.84 mph slower than Mercedes on the straights in 2026. Red Bull have the speed in a straight line, but tire degradation is going to prove challenging on a track known for extreme humidity, along with high track and air temperatures. Ferrari have proven efficient at managing tires, but their lack of power will play against them on the straighter parts of the circuit.
swipe to see more
Team
Winning Team Odds
Payout on $20
Mercedes
-200
$30.00
McLaren
+400
$100.00
Red Bull
+500
$120.00
Ferrari
+600
$140.00
Racing Bulls
+10000
$2,020.00
Alpine
+25000
$5,020.00
Audi
+25000
$5,020.00
Williams
+25000
$5,020.00
Aston Martin
+50000
$10,020.00
Cadillac
+50000
$10,020.00
Haas
+50000
$10,020.00
Where to Bet on the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026
Mercedes are looking for their fourth consecutive victory, with their two drivers well out in front in the Championship. However, neither of their drivers has ever lined up at Sepang. Can they keep cool in the extreme heat to bag the checkered flag? Or will we see Max Verstappen enter Victory Lane like her did back in 2017?
Visit our partner sportsbooks to access special deals that will elevate your betting experience as you prepare for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026. If you’re a newbie in the world of F1 betting, our comprehensive F1 Betting Guide is a must-read. Remember to enjoy the race and make your betting choices wisely. Betting responsibly ensures the fun lasts all season long.
FanDuel
Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix?
The current Drivers' Championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, lines up as the favorite to win the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix. He starts at +135 after winning eight of the first 15 rounds in 2026.
Who is favored to take Pole Position at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
The Italian youngster, Kimi Antonelli, starts the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend as the favorite to take pole position at +175. He leads the grid with six poles in 2026, but last earned one in Belgium before the summer recess.
Who are the top favorites for a podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and Max Verstappen are the three top drivers tipped for a podium in the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli: Lines up at -450 for a podium after averaging 2.40 in his last five starts.
George Russell: Arrives at the Bahrain Grand Prix with eight podiums in 2026, priced at -250 to earn his ninth.
Max Verstappen: The 2017 Champion at this track has claimed six top-threes in the previous eight rounds, offering value at +120.
Who is the favorite for the fastest lap at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix?
The race is tight for the Fastest Lap Award, but Kimi Antonelli is the +200 favorite to earn his eighth of the year.
Which team is favorite to win the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix?
After winning 11 of the first 15 Grands Prix in 2026, Mercedes is the overwhelming favorite at -200 to win the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team has also entered Victory Lane in the previous three rounds.
BKFC 69 Atlanta swings into action this Friday, and we’ve got all the pre-event odds and analysis. All eyes are on the bantamweight division as Keith Richardson and Michael Larrimore headline the evening, and newcomers Manness and Burgos battle it out in the featured fight. To bet on BKFC 69 Atlanta, check out our partner …
Four Championship bouts over two days prepare to knock the bright lights of the United Arab Emirates out from Friday, April 4th to Saturday, April 5th. BKFC 71 and 72 Dubai pre-event odds suggest Austin Trout is the frontrunner to retain the welterweight belt, while Britain Hart is tipped to defend her strawweight title on …
The waves were firing and the world’s best delivered an electrifying display of high-performance surfing at the WSL El Salvador Pro. Hawaii’s John John Florence clinched a long-awaited victory, solidifying his spot atop the rankings and securing a place in the WSL Finals. On the women’s side, Caroline Marks continued her sizzling form, notching back-to-back …
Real American Freestyle wrestling is coming into 2026 hot with four Championship fights in the opening event. Titles aside, Colby Covington is the name of the night as the former UFC combatant debuts at RAF05 and is favored in the pre-event odds to get the better of Luke Rockhold. Other noteworthy battles see Yoel Romero …
Best Bets: 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Pre-Event Odds Analysis
For the first time since 2017, Formula 1 returns to Sepang this weekend, but it will carry the name of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The event replaces the race in the Middle East that was skipped earlier in the season, and forms part of the triple header in the east. Kimi Antonelli enters the pre-event odds as the favorite for victory, despite a mishap in Azerbaijan last weekend. His senior, George Russell, closed the gap in the Drivers’ Championship and finds himself as the second favorite to bag the checkered flag in round 16.
After reading, check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your bets.
In addition to traditional sports betting on F1, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 offers Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and real-money gaming in a Pick’Em style on Underdog.
Schedule and How to Watch the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix
Prepare yourself for some late nights and early mornings stateside this weekend, as there is a 12-hour time difference between EDT and the race venue. This weekend follows a regular schedule, with no sprint and three practice sessions. Teams will call the Sepang International Circuit home from Friday, October 2, until Sunday, October 4. The weekend draws to a close on Sunday following the 3:00 pm MYT Grand Prix, which is 3:00 am back on the East Coast. Follow all the sessions in Malaysia for the first time in nine years, live on Apple TV.
Odds Subject to Change
Please note, the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article: Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change?. Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.
Live Formula 1 Odds
2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Odds
Race Winner Odds
As he has done for most of the season, Kimi Antonelli enters the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix as the favorite for victory at +135. The Italian youngster had a mishap during qualifying last weekend and started 16th, but surged up the field to finish fifth. He is the winningest driver on the grid this campaign with eight victories and averages 2.40 in his last five starts.
Sticking with Mercedes drivers, George Russell was outstanding in Azerbaijan. He believes his vehicle possesses the perfect balance of high downforce and low drag to dominate the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. Max Verstappen was the last driver to enter Victory Lane at this circuit, and he has the experience, skills, and speed to do it again. One area that might count against him is the high tire degradation that this track is renowned for. However, the four-time Drivers’ Champion fought hard in the last round and eventually fell 0.160 seconds short of victory, but he starts this weekend with three runner-up finishes in the previous five rounds.
swipe to see more
Expert Pick
With the way Kimi Antonelli is driving at the moment, he makes our job easy for the expert pick heading into Sepang. He is driving a balanced car, with the right chassis and power unit for Sepang, and has won 40% of his last 10 outings. The Italian’s odds are short for a valid reason at +135, where a $20.00 bet stands to pay out $47.00.
Podium Odds
If Max Verstappen can manage his tires well, he will offer punters excellent value for a podium finish this weekend. He enters at +120, despite registering seven podiums in the past 11 races. Six of those results have come since Austria. The Dutchman’s junior teammate, Isack Hadjar, is also worth a look, after he finished third last weekend, despite sitting on the sidelines for the preceding three races. The Frenchman has two podiums to his name in 2026, but will need a lot to go his way if he is to wrestle with the top three spots again.
Lando Norris is a five-time rostrum finisher this season and is looking for redemption after he was taken out by Franco Colapinto last weekend. Despite the accident, the Brit never looked like a top-three finisher in Azerbaijan, and his car does not have the speed for the Malaysian track. Charles Leclerc has his best chance to get back on the podium this week, as his SF-26 is brilliant at managing tires and carries high downforce and stability. The issue that he and Lewis Hamilton will face is speed on the straights. Combined, the duo have collected nine rostrums this year, but the last one was back in Belgium, courtesy of Leclerc.
swipe to see more
Pole Position Odds
George Russell added his fifth pole of the season in Baku, taking his team’s tally to 11 this season. He is now one fast qualification shy of his junior teammate, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Championship with six. Both drivers have registered a 30% success rate in the last 10 rounds. The Italian wunderkind last started from the front slot on the grid before the summer break, registering a best of second in Madrid, since returning from recess.
Lando Norris carries the third most pole positions this year, totalling three. All of those have arrived in the previous five rounds, but his MCL40 does not suit the Sepang layout, and “Last Lap Lando” will need all the luck he can get to top qualifying. Max Verstappen enters with an outside chance of claiming pole, as his car has the speed and he knows how to win on this track, but the Red Bull star has only managed second on three occasions in qualifying this year, falling behind Antonelli every time.
swipe to see more
Fastest Lap
In the last two race weekends, George Russell has departed the track with a DHL Fastest Lap Award. It’s his only two of the season, but it shows that he means business. He has watched his younger companion lead the contest all year, and he wants a piece of that action. The momentum is with “Mr. Saturday” right now, and his car has the speed and balance to give him a third award by the end of Sunday.
His biggest challenger in this department will be his colleague, Kimi Antonelli, who has registered seven fastest laps this term. He last achieved the feat in Italy, meaning Mercedes has three in a row leading into the Bahrain Grand Prix. Max Verstappen lines up as the third favorite for the prize and has looked dangerous in recent rounds, but his only award of the year came in Melbourne on opening weekend. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc start with two quickest laps to their names, but neither appears to have the power to produce a perfect run in Malaysia.
swipe to see more
Race Winning Car Odds
Unsurprisingly, Mercedes touches down in Southeast Asia as the short-odds favorite to deliver the winning car. For starters, they’ve claimed 11 of the opening 15 rounds this year, including the last three on the trot. In addition, their vehicle has the right balance of speed and downforce to navigate the corners and straights of Sepang. They will prove tough to beat in Malaysia, but anything is possible.
McLaren line up as the second favorites, but they appear to lack the speed needed to thrive on the eight straights at this track. The Woking-based team has reportedly averaged 6.84 mph slower than Mercedes on the straights in 2026. Red Bull have the speed in a straight line, but tire degradation is going to prove challenging on a track known for extreme humidity, along with high track and air temperatures. Ferrari have proven efficient at managing tires, but their lack of power will play against them on the straighter parts of the circuit.
swipe to see more
Where to Bet on the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026
Mercedes are looking for their fourth consecutive victory, with their two drivers well out in front in the Championship. However, neither of their drivers has ever lined up at Sepang. Can they keep cool in the extreme heat to bag the checkered flag? Or will we see Max Verstappen enter Victory Lane like her did back in 2017?
Visit our partner sportsbooks to access special deals that will elevate your betting experience as you prepare for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026. If you’re a newbie in the world of F1 betting, our comprehensive F1 Betting Guide is a must-read. Remember to enjoy the race and make your betting choices wisely. Betting responsibly ensures the fun lasts all season long.
FAQ: 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix Pre-Event Odds
The current Drivers' Championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, lines up as the favorite to win the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix. He starts at +135 after winning eight of the first 15 rounds in 2026.
The Italian youngster, Kimi Antonelli, starts the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend as the favorite to take pole position at +175. He leads the grid with six poles in 2026, but last earned one in Belgium before the summer recess.
Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and Max Verstappen are the three top drivers tipped for a podium in the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli: Lines up at -450 for a podium after averaging 2.40 in his last five starts.
George Russell: Arrives at the Bahrain Grand Prix with eight podiums in 2026, priced at -250 to earn his ninth.
Max Verstappen: The 2017 Champion at this track has claimed six top-threes in the previous eight rounds, offering value at +120.
The race is tight for the Fastest Lap Award, but Kimi Antonelli is the +200 favorite to earn his eighth of the year.
After winning 11 of the first 15 Grands Prix in 2026, Mercedes is the overwhelming favorite at -200 to win the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team has also entered Victory Lane in the previous three rounds.
Related Posts
Best Bets: BKFC 69 Atlanta Pre-Event Odds Analysis
BKFC 69 Atlanta swings into action this Friday, and we’ve got all the pre-event odds and analysis. All eyes are on the bantamweight division as Keith Richardson and Michael Larrimore headline the evening, and newcomers Manness and Burgos battle it out in the featured fight. To bet on BKFC 69 Atlanta, check out our partner …
Best Bets: BKFC 71 and BKFC 72 Dubai Pre-Event Odds Analysis
Four Championship bouts over two days prepare to knock the bright lights of the United Arab Emirates out from Friday, April 4th to Saturday, April 5th. BKFC 71 and 72 Dubai pre-event odds suggest Austin Trout is the frontrunner to retain the welterweight belt, while Britain Hart is tipped to defend her strawweight title on …
Best Bets: 2024 WSL VIVO Rio Pro Pre-Event Odds Analysis
The waves were firing and the world’s best delivered an electrifying display of high-performance surfing at the WSL El Salvador Pro. Hawaii’s John John Florence clinched a long-awaited victory, solidifying his spot atop the rankings and securing a place in the WSL Finals. On the women’s side, Caroline Marks continued her sizzling form, notching back-to-back …
Best Bets: RAF 05 Pre-Event Odds Analysis
Real American Freestyle wrestling is coming into 2026 hot with four Championship fights in the opening event. Titles aside, Colby Covington is the name of the night as the former UFC combatant debuts at RAF05 and is favored in the pre-event odds to get the better of Luke Rockhold. Other noteworthy battles see Yoel Romero …