F1: After the storm, there’s a new schedule for the race in Malaysia
The track dried off very quickly, and the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead: the FIA has determined that the race will start at 10:33 a.m. (Italian time). The race was originally scheduled for Sunday morning, but a storm hit the Sepang circuit, rendering the track impassable.
About forty minutes before the start, it began to rain, then a downpour forced spectators to take shelter under umbrellas and race officials to postpone the start of the race. The rain was so heavy that visibility was compromised, and some sections of the track were flooded.
The track temperature plummeted from 44 to 34 degrees: the Medical Car circled the track to assess conditions and determine when the race could finally begin. At the same time, the marshals began clearing the track of puddles. Initially, the new start time had been set for 9:40 a.m. (Italian time): all cars started behind the Safety Car.
Several issues arose during the formation laps: Lewis Hamilton turned his car off and back on, as did the Haas and Cadillac teams. This was necessary due to a software issue caused by the rain. Max Verstappen also had some trouble with the throttle but then continued to lap.
