What led to the confusion about the F1 race schedule?

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Social Media Speculation Fueled Confusion Over F1 Race Schedule

Confusion regarding the schedule of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia for 2026 arose from social media speculation. This speculation was triggered by information shared online, purportedly from the official Formula 1 app, which suggested the race on October 4 would take place from 8 pm to 10 pm local track time. This led to widespread belief that the event would be held under floodlights.
Discrepancy in Official App Information

The primary driver of the confusion was the appearance of specific timings within the official Formula 1 application. Users observed that the race on October 4 was listed with a start and end time of 8 pm to 10 pm local track time. This detail, when shared and discussed on social media platforms, rapidly fostered the notion of a night race. A check by Bernama confirmed that this timing displayed on the F1 app remained unchanged at the time of reporting.
Sepang International Circuit's Clarification

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif stepped in to directly address and dismiss these circulating rumours. He provided a clear statement to Bernama, explicitly clarifying that the race would indeed be conducted in the afternoon, not at night. This official confirmation served to counter the misinformation that had gained traction online and in public discourse.
Historical Context of the Malaysian Grand Prix

Historically, the Malaysian Grand Prix, when it was previously held at Sepang from 1999 to 2017, consistently took place in the afternoon. This established precedent contrasts with the current speculation, although it is acknowledged that several contemporary Formula 1 races, such as those in Singapore and Las Vegas, are indeed staged at night. The current confirmation by SIC reaffirms the afternoon schedule for the 2026 event.

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What led to the confusion about the F1 race schedule?

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