News Summary
- Hamilton stopped on the main straight, reporting no response from the accelerator.
- Verstappen, Ocon and Bottas also experienced problems; Leclerc was told he had a software glitch.
- Race Control suspended the starting procedure and ordered drivers back to the pits.
Ctrl+Alt+Del? Formula 1’s return to Sepang descended into further chaos when several cars experienced technical problems before the Bahrain Grand Prix could start. After torrential rain delayed proceedings, the attempt to begin formation running ended with cars stopping and Race Control sending the field back to the pits.
The video captures the disruption during the procedure, which began at 15:40 local time behind the Safety Car. Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari stopped on the main straight, while other drivers also struggled to keep their cars running normally.
Hamilton presses the throttle — but nothing happens
Hamilton reported that his car was not responding to the accelerator, leaving him stranded as the rest of the field approached.
“I’m pressing the throttle, nothing is happening,” Hamilton said over the radio.
Yellow flags were displayed, creating uncertainty among following drivers about whether they could pass the stationary Ferrari during the formation procedure.
Pole sitter Max Verstappen had already reported an acceleration problem in his Red Bull.
“I can’t accelerate guys, it’s back,” Verstappen said.
Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase informed him that the team was looking into the issue. Esteban Ocon also stopped, while Valtteri Bottas experienced technical difficulties.
Charles Leclerc was subsequently told that his Ferrari had suffered a software glitch. Hamilton, Ocon and Bottas all drive Ferrari-powered cars, but Verstappen’s separate complaint came in a Red Bull Ford. A common cause for the problems had not been confirmed.
Another interruption before lights out
Race Control suspended the starting procedure and instructed drivers to return to the pits, interrupting the planned sequence of running behind the Safety Car before a standing start.
The incident added technical disruption to the weather delay that had already prevented the Formula 1 race from beginning at its original 15:00 start time.
The keyboard-reset reference describes the extraordinary scenes; it does not establish that a computer restart, AI fault or shared software failure caused the problems. The confirmed sequence and radio messages are detailed in the report on Hamilton’s stoppage and Leclerc’s software glitch.
GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang, including further updates on the interrupted starting procedure.
F1 today: FAQ
Who won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang on Sunday, 4 October, taking his first victory of the 2026 F1 season. Kimi Antonelli finished second, with Lewis Hamilton completing the podium.
Why was the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia delayed?
Heavy rain initially delayed the start at Sepang. Several drivers then experienced power delivery problems during the formation procedure, forcing race control to suspend the start again. The race eventually began more than 90 minutes after its scheduled time.
How far ahead is Kimi Antonelli in the F1 championship?
Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 84 points after finishing second at Sepang while his Mercedes teammate retired. Antonelli has 320 points, Russell has 236 and Lewis Hamilton is third with 214.
