The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is set to go ahead at the Sepang International Circuit, but Formula 1 has been thrown into further confusion after Race Control suspended the starting procedure following a chaotic formation lap.
The drivers had finally been sent out after the race was delayed by heavy rain and standing water. However, the formation lap quickly turned messy, with several drivers reporting problems over team radio.
The suspension does not mean the Grand Prix has been cancelled. The race remains scheduled to take place, with Race Control expected to announce the next step and the revised start procedure shortly.
🚨 RACE CONTROL: The starting procedure has been suspended The drivers return to the pits #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/U6kq7wMDJ9
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026
Why Was the F1 Starting Procedure Suspended at Sepang?
Lewis Hamilton was forced to slow down and eventually stopped before getting his Ferrari moving again. Ferrari later indicated that Hamilton’s issue was related to a software problem.
Lando Norris also reported a loss of power, saying over team radio: “I’ve got no power at all.”
The start has been suspensed. Several of the Ferrari powered cars stopped at the side of the track 🙃
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 4, 2026
His engineer then reported that Verstappen was struggling to accelerate as well. Norris responded that the other cars appeared to be experiencing a similar issue.
Max Verstappen literally picked up a WHOLE NAIL in the pit lane 😭 Max: “There is a nail in my tyre.” GP: “Front left?” Max: “Front left.” GP: “Thank you.” #F1 | #BahrainGP https://t.co/5bePcr79hL
— Everything Formula (@evrythngformu1a) October 4, 2026
Verstappen eventually got moving, while Hamilton also managed to continue. The unusual situation left cars spread around the circuit before Race Control suspended the procedure.
Max Verstappen seeing all the stopped cars 😭 “LOL, look at this! Hahaha.” #F1 | #BahrainGP https://t.co/Kw5SE2H9bO
— Everything Formula (@evrythngformu1a) October 4, 2026
Is the Bahrain Grand Prix Still Happening Today?
Yes, the race is expected to happen. The suspension of the starting procedure is not the same as abandoning the Grand Prix. Race Control has effectively paused the sequence before the actual race start while officials deal with the unusual circumstances.
The initial delay was caused by heavy rain, standing water and poor visibility. The weather has since improved considerably, and live commentary from Sepang has noted that the track now looks much drier.
However, the earlier conditions and the problems during the formation lap have forced officials to take additional time before restarting the procedure.
The latest expectation is that a new start time will be announced soon, with the cars remaining in the pits until Race Control gives the instruction to resume.
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 Starting Grid at Sepang
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 3 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 7 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi |
| 11 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 14 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 15 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi |
| 16 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 18 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 19 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac |
| 20 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac |
| 21 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 22 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls |
The grid was already altered by penalties before the race. Hadjar dropped to eighth after a five-place penalty, while Colapinto and Lindblad were pushed to the back after their respective power-unit penalties.
Verstappen earned his first pole position of the 2026 season in qualifying, setting a 1:35.130 to beat Hamilton by 0.298 seconds.
Hadjar had originally qualified third, but his five-place penalty promoted Antonelli to third and Leclerc to fourth. Norris and Piastri occupy the third row, while George Russell starts seventh.
Sepang Weather
The rain that caused the original delay has eased, and conditions at the circuit have improved. However, the earlier downpour left significant standing water around Sepang, prompting the FIA to send the medical car out to assess the circuit.
The FIA reported that the amount of standing water made conditions unsuitable for the scheduled start. The problem became even more unusual once the cars finally went out. With several drivers reporting issues during the formation lap, Race Control opted to suspend the starting procedure rather than proceed immediately.
The expectation now is that Formula 1 will restart the procedure once officials are satisfied that the circuit and cars are ready.
