Technical problems on the formation lap at the Bahrain GP and postponement due to rain at Sepang

Some cars, including those of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, had technical problems on the formation lap of the Bahrain GP, ​​behind the safety car, and in the ensuing chaos the race direction decided to call everyone back to the pit lane.

In particular, Hamilton's Ferrari came to a complete stop on the track and the other drivers overtook it before the Briton could restart. The problems encountered would be linked to the software of the single-seaters, put into crisis by the very low speed in the formation lap, which in some cases were reset. The FIA ​​has announced that the original grid order will be used for the start of the race, with Verstappen in pole position and Hamilton alongside him.

Previously the start of the GP had been postponed due to heavy rain on the Malaysian Sepang circuit. At 9am the Medical Car was turning around on the track to assess the conditions of the track, which showed large flooded areas in various places, making the car's roadholding difficult. The rain had not prevented the riders from reaching the front of the field for the national anthem, all sheltered under large umbrellas.

The rain has stopped falling heavily on the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, home of the Bahrain GP, ​​and the organizers have announced that the formation lap will begin at 9.40 am Italian time, 40 minutes after the scheduled start. Depending on the track conditions, a decision will be made whether to start the race behind the safety car.