Storm delays Bahrain GP at Sepang as start procedure is suspended amid car problems

GPBeat reports that thunderstorms and heavy rain delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, Malaysia. During formation laps behind the safety car, Motorsport.com reported that several cars appeared to have problems and that race control suspended the starting procedure. RacingNews365 also described problems involving Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

RacingNews365 reported that the original grid order would be used and later said a start at 16:33 local time was scheduled. That was a planned time, not confirmation that the race began then. The reports do not establish what caused the apparent car problems: Motorsport.com described power-unit trouble as suspected, while RacingNews365 reported a radio message to Hamilton referring to a software issue. [1]