Sepang Bahrain GP delay linked to reported FIA glitch

Reports from Sepang said storms delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix before a suspected FIA software issue left Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton among those affected.

Reports from Sepang said the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was delayed after thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the circuit. When formation laps began in wet conditions, Autosport and RaceFans reported that Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and several other drivers lost power or stopped on track before the start procedure could continue.

Autosport reported the issue was linked to FIA software rather than separate team failures, while RaceFans said the FIA pointed to an unexpected combination of factors. With the situation still emerging, those details remain reported rather than confirmed in the supplied sources.

The disruption involved two drivers near the front of the 2026 drivers' championship. Verstappen arrived sixth on 188 points and, across 242 Formula 1 starts, had 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums. Hamilton was third on 214 points when the problem struck his car during the same sequence.