Sepang deluge puts Bahrain Grand Prix on hold minutes before lights out

Pole-sitter Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton face a rain delay before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. — AFP pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Sunday, 04 Oct 2026 3:10 PM MYT

SEPANG, Oct 4 — The start of the Bahrain Grand Prix was delayed today after torrential rain swept across Sepang just minutes before lights out, leaving pole-sitter Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton waiting for conditions to improve.

Race Control confirmed that the Formula One race, scheduled to begin at 3pm, could not start on time after the circuit was hit by a heavy downpour roughly 20 minutes before the scheduled start.

“Delayed start due to excessive rain,” Race Control said in a brief announcement.

No revised start time was immediately given, with teams and drivers forced to wait for further instructions as standing water built up around the Sepang International Circuit.

According to media reports, the announcement confirmed a delay rather than a cancellation, with the race awaiting improved conditions.

Verstappen is due to start from pole position for Red Bull alongside Ferrari’s Hamilton, who secured his first front-row start since Barcelona in qualifying yesterday.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will line up third for Mercedes after Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar, who qualified ahead of him, was handed a five-place grid penalty.

The sudden downpour has added another layer of uncertainty to a weekend already dominated by high temperatures, low grip and significant tyre degradation.

Pirelli had earlier identified Sepang’s dusty and abrasive surface as a factor behind increased tyre sliding and wear, with lap times running slower than expected during practice.

Teams must now wait for Race Control to determine when conditions are safe enough for the starting procedure to resume.