The start of Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia has been delayed due to heavy thunderstorms hitting the Sepang circuit. As teams formed on the starting grid, a small drizzle turned into a full-blown tropical thunderstorm with downpour and lightning outside Kuala Lumpur. The torrential rain caused standing water, making conditions unsuitable for racing, prompting FIA race control to delay the start.
The FIA's medical car reported significant standing water during a reconnaissance lap. The race, held in Malaysia due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is F1's first wet weather event since the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix and the debut wet race for the 2026 generation of cars. Under 2026 regulations, drivers cannot use boost mode for overtaking, active aerodynamics are limited to front wing flap movement only, and maximum electric deployment is reduced to improve car control in low-grip conditions.
After water cleared in a couple of corners, race control gave the 10-minute start signal for a formation lap at 15:40 local time. The race is expected to start with at least two laps behind the safety car to monitor conditions before attempting a standing start.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing