Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia begins after rain delay and a messy start
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia has started at the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpur after heavy rain delayed the race and added confusion to the formation lap.
Max Verstappen moved into the lead after a series of overtakes off the start, helped by divergent tyre choices in changing conditions. Kimi Antonelli slipped from the front running and was passed by team-mate George Russell for second.
Cars were also out of position while trying to line up behind the safety car, with reported software issues adding to the disorder. Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc were all deep in the field early on, with Hamilton saying he had little grip on the slick tyres.
The race at Sepang was moved from Bahrain and rescheduled from April because of unrest in the Middle East. It is being run under the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix name despite the Malaysian venue.
Later in the race, Verstappen was still leading Russell, with Antonelli third and the Mercedes trying to keep pace. Further back, Norris and Hamilton were climbing after their poor starts, but the early laps had already turned the afternoon into a test of tyre life and recovery.
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