October 2, 2026 · Race-week update
Sunday at Sepang: Two Anthems at 2:44 PM — Be in Your Seat
Sunday's pre-race ceremony features both the Bahrain and Malaysia national anthems at 2:44 PM local. Why two anthems, when to be seated, and why this one is worth not missing.
Set an alarm for this one: Sunday's pre-race ceremony at Sepang will feature both the Bahrain and Malaysia national anthems at 2:44 PM local time, ahead of the race start.
Why two anthems
This is the FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA — a Bahrain-promoted race held at Sepang. The dual anthems honor both halves of that identity: Bahrain as the promoting nation, Malaysia as the host. It's a genuinely unusual ceremony in modern F1, and a small piece of motorsport history.
For the Malaysian crowd especially, hearing Negaraku played on an F1 grid is the emotional peak of the weekend — the payoff for the country's return to the calendar.
The practical bit: be seated by 2:30
Ceremonies start before the published anthem time — drivers assemble, dignitaries take position, and the grid clears. Plan to be in your seat by 2:30 PM at the latest. If you're in a hillstand, factor in the walk from the gates; Sunday's crowd will be the weekend's biggest, and the concourses clog fast in the last 30 minutes.
The other reason to be early: the flypast and grid pageantry that usually bracket the anthems. You don't want to be watching it on the big screen from the toilet queue.
After the anthems
Anthems at 2:44, formation lap shortly after — the standard rhythm is anthems, national anthem ends, grid clears, formation lap, lights out. Once Negaraku and the Bahraini anthem finish, the weekend's talking stops and the racing starts.
Full Sunday timings including support races: the Sepang weekend schedule.
Quick answers
What time are the national anthems at Sepang on Sunday?
2:44 PM local time, ahead of the race start.
Which anthems are played?
Both the Bahrain and Malaysia national anthems — honoring the promoting nation and the host nation.
What time should I be in my seat?
By 2:30 PM at the latest; ceremonies begin before the anthem time and Sunday concourses clog fast.
Why does a Bahrain Grand Prix have the Malaysian anthem?
The event is the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia — the dual ceremony reflects the promoter (Bahrain) and the host (Malaysia).
Sources
Official race-weekend ceremonial schedule (dual anthems, 14:44 local Sunday), via race-weekend reporting Oct 2, 2026.