The Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for Sunday at 8am BST at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur due to logistical changes, faced delays because of heavy rain. After initial postponement, a new formation lap was set for 8:40am BST, with Max Verstappen starting from pole position. Despite these adjustments, further complications during the formation lap caused additional disruptions. The race is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for Saudi Arabia but relocated due to security concerns from the US–Israel war with Iran, was held at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit in September 2026. Heavy rain caused a one-hour and thirty-three-minute delay before the race start, as multiple cars experienced software glitches that prevented them from operating properly on wet tracks. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen likened the situation to a "Lego race" due to the bizarre performance of their battery-powered vehicles in low-grip conditions. The FIA has promised a full investigation into these issues, which have marred the season's introduction of new engine specifications requiring a 50-50 split between combustion and battery power. Verstappen eventually won the chaotic event despite earlier software failures, while Lewis Hamilton made an impressive comeback from a low starting position to claim third place.
Written for “Bahrain GP Chaos In Malaysia” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 16 other(s) covering the same event.
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journalism → support → readers
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we → click → commission
The race was initially due to get under way at 8am BST, only for the Sepang International Circuit to be soaked by an unrelenting downpour.
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Circuit → get → downpour
The rain finally started to ease and the formation lap was re-scheduled for 8:40am BST, after which the grand prix was expected to begin with Max Verstappen on pole position, though the wet track and any further rain always had the obvious potential to cause more disruption.
And so it proved, with starting procedures again suspended as problems ensued on the formation lap, with multiple cars and drivers experiencing issues in chaotic scenes before returning to the pit lane once more.
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cars → start → lane
At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, George Russell claimed an important victory over his Mercedes colleague, who was fifth, with a resurgent Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar completing the podium.
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Verstappen → claim → podium
Antonelli had crashed out by hitting the wall in the first session of qualifying in Baku, leaving him in 16th position on the starting grid.
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Antonelli → crash → grid
Russell could only qualify seventh in Malaysia however amid a surprise lack of pace in his Silver Arrow on Saturday.
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Russell → qualify → Saturday
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix takes place today on Sunday, October 4 at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Prix → take → Lumpur
The race was due to start at 8am BST - 3pm local time - on Sunday, only for rain to delay proceedings.
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rain → start → proceedings
A new formation lap has been scheduled for 8:40am BST, after which the grand prix should get under way.
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prix → schedule → way
Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place in Malaysia?
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Prix → take → Malaysia
The original Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix weekends were cancelled at the start of the year as a result of the US and Israel’s invasion of Iran in February.
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weekends → cancel → February
As a result, the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was able to negoiate a deal that would revive the event, and as such, it will go ahead in Malaysia.
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it → negoiate → Malaysia
Geographically, a return to Sepang after a nine-year hiatus makes sense, with the drivers able to travel via Malaysia from Baku for the Sinagpore Grand Prix, which follows this race.
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which → make → race
In the UK, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix is available to watch live on Sky Sports.
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Prix → watch → Sports
The main build-up starts at 6.30am BST on Sunday, with the race itself from 8am.
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up → start → am
Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the action live online through the Sky Go app.
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subscribers → catch → app
There should not be risk of further deals in Sepang, where the weather should now brighten up with high temperatures of 32 degrees that will feel more like 39 with the extreme humidity.
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that → brighten → humidity
Plenty of cloud will remain.
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Plenty → remain → cloud
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We → aim → companies
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you → play → what
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you → have → limits
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advice → think → BeGambleAware
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offers → list → change
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Terms → apply → offers
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