Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Prediction Odds and Bets 04.10.2026

Last update at 1 October, 2026Reading time: 2 minutes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

George Russell

Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, 20:00 @ 04.10.2026

Formula 1 returns to Sepang for the first time since 2017, with the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia arriving at an important stage of the championship. Kimi Antonelli leads the standings, George Russell comes from a dominant win in Azerbaijan and Max Verstappen has returned to consistent podium form.

Event: Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026
Championship: FIA Formula One World Championship
Round: 16
Date: Sunday 4 October 2026
UK start time: 8:00am BST
Circuit: Sepang International Circuit
Race distance: 56 laps, 310.398 km
Tyres: C2 hard, C3 medium, C4 soft
UK TV: Sky Sports F1 and NOW

How the Bahrain GP Favourites Arrive

Mercedes enter Sepang with the strongest recent form after winning the previous three Grands Prix. Antonelli won at Monza and Madrid, while Russell dominated Azerbaijan from pole.

Key drivers:

Kimi Antonelli: Championship leader with eight wins and 12 podiums, although his short outright price reduces the value.
George Russell: Arrives after taking pole, fastest lap and victory in Baku. His current price offers a more interesting outright option than Antonelli.
Max Verstappen: Still without a win in 2026, but has finished on the podium in his last three completed races. A podium market looks more appealing than the outright win.
Lando Norris: McLaren may suit Sepang better than Baku, but Mercedes still have the stronger pre-practice profile.

Sepang adds extra uncertainty because teams have little relevant modern data for the current cars. Tyre degradation, heat and possible changing weather conditions should make long-run pace particularly important.

The winner market has Antonelli at 3/2, Russell at 3/1, Norris and Verstappen at 7/1, with Leclerc and Hamilton at 10/1.

Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 winner odds

These are pre-practice market prices checked on 1 October 2026. Formula 1 odds can move quickly once the first practice data appears.

Driver	Race winner odds
Kimi Antonelli	3/2
George Russell	3/1
Lando Norris	7/1
Max Verstappen	7/1
Charles Leclerc	10/1
Lewis Hamilton	10/1

The interesting part of the market for me is the difference between Antonelli and Russell. Antonelli’s season has unquestionably been better overall, but Russell has just produced a dominant qualifying and race weekend and is driving the same Mercedes package.

Verstappen at 7/1 is tempting if Red Bull reproduce their Baku pace, but I prefer reducing the requirement from winning the race to simply making the top three.

Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia predictions

Beni

The conservative one

Max Verstappen to finish on the podium

Odds 5/4

Three podiums on the bounce is enough for me. Max nearly pinched Baku from Russell, and I only need him in the first three here. With Sepang rewarding proper race pace and tyre management, this feels cleaner than chasing the win.

Beto

The bold one

George Russell to win

Odds 3/1

I'm happy to swing at Russell here. He was untouchable for most of Baku, Mercedes have won three straight races, and five poles this year tell you the one-lap speed is real. If the car clicks at Sepang, he's got every chance of going back-to-back.

George Russell to win the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Category Formula 1

Odds

Chooses

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Daniel HarrisExpert sports betting analyst

Originally from Manchester, Daniel has been following English football and betting on sport for years. He now covers football and tennis as part of the BetBrothers tipster team, researching every selection before sharing it. His approach is simple: follow the sport closely, do the homework and only back a bet when he thinks the odds are worth it.