F1's Bahrain race moved to Malaysia; software bug delayed the start

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was held at Sepang in Malaysia due to the war with Iran. Heavy rain and a bug in the FIA's common car software—slow laps behind the safety car triggered an automatic 60-second shutdown of the electric motors—aborted the first start; a software update was issued in about 20 minutes and the race began an hour late.

• The 2026 Bahrain GP ran at Sepang, Malaysia, due to the war with Iran
• A bug in the FIA's common software cut car electric motors for 60 seconds
• A software update was issued in about 20 minutes; start delayed an hour
• Only nine drivers, including Verstappen, started on intermediate tires