Thunderstorm delays Bahrain GP in Malaysia start as lightning strikes Sepang

A violent tropical thunderstorm delayed the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, Malaysia, after lightning and torrential rain struck the circuit just as teams were forming on the grid for pre-race procedures.

What began as a light drizzle escalated rapidly into a full downpour, leaving FIA race control with no option but to hold the field and wait for conditions to improve. At the original scheduled start time, the FIA issued a statement confirming: “Rain intensity has been steady for the last 10 mins and no improvement is forecasted for the next 5/10 mins. Medical car going on track shortly to report on track conditions.”

The race is being held in Malaysia as an exceptional measure due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has prevented the event from taking place at its usual Bahrain International Circuit venue.

The delay carries additional significance beyond the disruption itself. This is Formula 1’s first wet-weather event since the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, meaning the storm has handed the sport an unplanned but consequential debut — the first time the all-new 2026 generation of cars will race in the wet. The new regulations introduced sweeping aerodynamic and power unit changes, and teams have had no competitive data on how the machinery handles standing water or a drying track.

More updates are expected as conditions at Sepang develop.