News Summary
- Race Control has announced a delayed start because of excessive rain.
- Torrential rain arrived shortly before the scheduled 15:00 start in Malaysia.
- Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are due to start from the front row.
Torrential rain has delayed the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Race Control announcing that conditions at Sepang were unsuitable for the scheduled start on Sunday, 4 October.
The downpour hit approximately 20 minutes before lights out, interrupting preparations for the Formula 1 race, which had been scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time.
“Delayed start due to excessive rain,” read the Race Control announcement.
No revised start time was included in that initial message. The announcement confirms a delay to the start, rather than a cancellation of the race.
Max Verstappen is due to start from pole position alongside Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will line up third after Isack Hadjar’s grid penalty.
The rain adds another uncertainty to a weekend already shaped by high temperatures and tyre degradation. Teams must now await further instructions from Race Control before the starting procedure can proceed.
GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang, including further announcements about the delayed start.
F1 today: FAQ
Why did F1 cars lose power before the Bahrain GP in Malaysia?
The FIA identified a combination of low engine speed, low grip, wet-weather energy management settings and Sepang’s sector configuration. It distributed a software update before the race and announced a full review with teams and power unit manufacturers.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 championship in Singapore?
No. Antonelli leads George Russell by 84 points, but even a Singapore Sprint and Grand Prix double would not secure the title. Austin on 25 October is his earliest possible opportunity, depending on his results and those of the remaining contenders.
When is the next F1 race, and is Singapore a Sprint weekend?
The next race is the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October, with track activity beginning on Friday, 9 October. It is a Sprint weekend: Sprint qualifying takes place on Friday, followed by the Sprint and Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday.
Why has the Bahrain GP start been delayed?
Race Control announced a delayed start because of excessive rain at Sepang.
