Antonelli seizes opening lap advantage as rain reshapes Sepang grid
Antonelli led from the first corner as wet conditions reshuffled the opening lap order at Sepang.
Event / Sports
2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix
The Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Sepang, Malaysia due to Middle East geopolitical instability. The October 4, 2026 race experienced significant delays and technical disruptions caused by heavy monsoon rainfall, with the start delayed over 90 minutes and multiple cars suffering electronic failures.
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2026-10-04 to 2026-10-31 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Oct, 12:48 UTC
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What happened
Multiple F1 cars experience electronic and software failures due to wet track conditions
Several Formula 1 cars encountered significant electronic and software problems during the formation laps on the rain-soaked Sepang circuit. Notable affected vehicles included Max Verstappen's Red Bull (pole position starter) and Esteban Ocon's Haas. Some drivers experienced complete loss of power or inability to accelerate, including Lewis Hamilton who became completely immobilized. At 16:00, all vehicles were lined up in the pit lane to allow technical teams to work on onboard computer systems and potentially change tires.
Kimi Antonelli gains lead at first corner from pole position starters Verstappen and Hamilton
At the first corner after the delayed start, Kimi Antonelli, the current Formula 1 championship leader driving for Mercedes, gained advantage over pole position starter Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari, who had started alongside Verstappen on the front row. Antonelli had started from third position on the grid.
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix relocated to Malaysia due to Middle East geopolitical situation
The Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia due to the geopolitical context and ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The race was originally scheduled for April but was cancelled. Malaysia proposed to host the event, and it was confirmed on the F1 calendar only in late July.
George Russell moves to second place in opening lap on wet track
George Russell, starting from 7th position on the grid for Mercedes, moved into second place during the first corner on the still-wet Sepang circuit. He subsequently lost the position to Max Verstappen on the drenched track.
Max Verstappen secures pole position at wet Sepang circuit
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. This marked his first pole position of the season. He performed consistently throughout the weekend as Red Bull demonstrated strong pace.
Heavy monsoon rains delay F1 Bahrain Grand Prix start by over 90 minutes
Heavy monsoon rains struck the Sepang circuit approximately 30 minutes before the originally scheduled 15:00 (07:00 GMT) start time on October 4, 2026. The rains drenched the track, vehicles, and personnel. The race start was delayed by at least 40 minutes initially, with the formation lap behind the safety car postponed to 15:40. The actual race start occurred at approximately 16:35 (08:35 GMT), resulting in a total delay of over 90 minutes.
Lewis Hamilton lines up second for Bahrain Grand Prix in Ferrari
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, qualified in second position at the Bahrain Grand Prix held at Sepang circuit, starting alongside pole position holder Max Verstappen.
First significant rainfall disruption of 2026 F1 season occurs at Sepang
The Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang marked the first time during the 2026 Formula 1 season that a Grand Prix was significantly disrupted by rainfall, despite brief showers before races in Canada and the Netherlands.
Isack Hadjar running fourth in F1 race at Sepang
French driver Isack Hadjar, driving for Red Bull, occupied fourth position in the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang during the early stages of the race.
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2 alternative perspectives
Monsoon rains delay relocated Bahrain Grand Prix by over 90 minutes
Relocated Bahrain Grand Prix delayed 90+ minutes by monsoon rains at Sepang, causing car failures.