SEPANG Oct 4, 2026 — The start of the Bahrain Grand Prix has been delayed after heavy rain swept across the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, Formula 1 confirmed via its official account.
Race Control issued the formal call shortly after the pit lane opened, with the championship posting: “RACE CONTROL: The start of the Grand Prix will be delayed.” The message, tagged #F1 and #BahrainGP, was accompanied by race-control imagery from a sodden Sepang.
Conditions had deteriorated quickly on race day. Formula 1 reported the pit lane opening under rain that was “HARD”, then said it was “pelting down” as drivers prepared for a wet start. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was shown heading out on intermediate tyres, with full wets flagged as a possible next step if the storm did not ease.
The championship also noted the irony of the weekend’s weather kit: umbrellas that had been used for shade in the Malaysian heat were suddenly essential for rain. Live updates from the circuit described wet track and paddock conditions as teams hastily redrew race strategies for what had been billed as lights-out in just over 20 minutes — before the delay was confirmed.
Further posts from the official Formula 1 account underlined that there was “no let up” in the downpour, while praising spectators still packing the grandstands and circuit approaches. “Shout-out to the fans braving these conditions,” the championship wrote as the start was held.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is being staged at Sepang this weekend, placing Malaysia’s iconic venue at the centre of the Formula 1 calendar. Wet weather at the circuit historically forces rapid changes to tyre choice, formation-lap timing and safety-car planning, and Sunday’s delay fits that pattern as race officials wait for safer conditions.
Teams, drivers and fans now await a revised start time from Race Control once the rain eases enough for a safe Grand Prix getaway.
Source: Formula 1 / @F1
https://x.com/F1/status/2106636911700054390
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