Formula 1 race in Malaysia starts late
The Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix was delayed due to heavy thunderstorms and lightning at the Sepang International Circuit. The race, returning to the calendar for the first time since 2017, features new regulations regarding electric power units on a wet track.
Why it matters
The return of the Malaysian GP and the impact of new technical regulations on wet-weather racing are significant developments for the current F1 season.
Formula 1 race in Malaysia starts late The start of the Formula 1 race in Malaysia has been postponed because of heavy rain.
The field, led by pole-sitter Max Verstappen, had originally been due to get under way at 9am Central European time at the Sepang International Circuit. But thunderstorms, including lightning and heavy rain, rolled in around 30 minutes earlier, forcing race control to delay the start.
By then, the cars were already lined up on the grid. While the drivers sought shelter in the dry pit lane, the safety car completed several laps and reported the condition of the track back to race control. The re-start took place at 9.40am.
The fans, meanwhile, refused to let the conditions dampen their mood and kept a Mexican wave moving back and forth beneath the covered start-finish grandstand, among other things.
Also covering this story
15 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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