Formula Trophy Malaysia to open its season on F1's Sepang undercard

Formula 1 is not the only single-seater series on track at Sepang International Circuit next weekend. Formula Trophy Malaysia (FTM), the new name for the Southeast Asian Formula 4 championship, will start its 2026 season as the main support series for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

For the region's young drivers, it is a big opportunity. Few Formula 4 races anywhere in the world are held on a Formula 1 support bill in a given year.

The weekend schedule

According to the Bahrain International Circuit, which is promoting the Grand Prix, the FTM programme is:

• Friday, 2 October: two practice sessions
• Saturday, 3 October: qualifying and Race 1
• Sunday, 4 October: Race 2

Every driver will race the same car, a Tatuus F4-T421 with an Abarth engine, running on Giti tyres. Because the cars are identical, the results come down to driver skill and team set-up.

A new name after a disrupted year

Top Speed promotes the championship, which began in 2016–17 as the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship. The 2026 season has been rebuilt as a short, Sepang-based campaign. Asian Motorsport reports eight races over three weekends, all at Sepang:

The Bahrain promoter describes FTM as "one of South East Asia's premier single-seater championships for junior drivers". Asian Motorsport calls it "a renewed FIA Formula 4 pathway" for young drivers in Malaysia and the wider region.

Evans GP names its line-up

Sepang-based Evans GP is one of the first teams to confirm its drivers. The team won the 2025 Southeast Asian F4 teams' title, and its drivers finished first and second in the drivers' standings. On its website, it has confirmed Thailand's Nawin Natiphanon, Aaron Mehta, who will race the full season, and Evans GP Academy driver Ginevra Panzeri for the opening round. More drivers are still to be announced.

Team principal Joshua Evans said racing on the F1 bill is special for a local outfit. "Opening the championship as part of the Formula 1 weekend is obviously very special," he said. "It will be a fantastic opportunity for our drivers, partners and team members to compete in front of a major international audience at our home circuit."

Why it matters for Malaysian motorsport

Malaysia has long had a strong motorcycle racing pathway, and Hakim Danish's Moto3 win at Brno this year showed it. Four-wheel single-seater racing has struggled for exposure since F1 left Sepang in 2017. Putting a regional F4 series in front of a Formula 1 crowd gives it attention that junior racing rarely gets.

The final entry list has not been published yet, and no Malaysian drivers had been named for the opening round when we checked. PlayDash will update readers if local drivers are confirmed.

For fans with a race ticket, the FTM sessions are a good reason to arrive early. Check the official timetable closer to the weekend for exact session times.

Key takeaways

• Formula Trophy Malaysia, formerly the Southeast Asian F4 championship, opens its season at Sepang on the F1 undercard.
• It has two practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday, and Race 2 on Sunday.
• All drivers use identical Tatuus F4-T421 cars with Abarth engines and Giti tyres.
• The three-round, eight-race season runs from October to December, all at Sepang.
• Defending teams' champion Evans GP has named Nawin Natiphanon, Aaron Mehta and Ginevra Panzeri.

FAQ

Do I need a separate ticket to watch Formula Trophy Malaysia? No separate ticket has been announced. The support races take place during the F1 weekend, so they are open to Grand Prix ticket holders.

Who organises Formula Trophy Malaysia? Top Speed promotes the series, which is a rebrand of the Southeast Asian F4 championship.

Where are the other rounds? All three rounds are at Sepang: 2–4 October, 6–8 November and 12–14 December.

Sources: Bahrain International Circuit, Asian Motorsport, Evans GP