Chaos at Sepang: Thunderstorms and Power Unit Gremlins Throw Bahrain GP Start into Disarray

The Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit got off to a turbulent start on Sunday, as a heavy tropical thunderstorm swept in just as teams were forming on the grid for pre-race procedures. What began as a light drizzle quickly escalated into a full-blown downpour, prompting Race Control to suspend the start while conditions were monitored.

With the delay in place, a local marshal on the grid managed to steal the spotlight, drawing widespread attention and earning the label "absolute icon" from onlookers, according to Motorsport.com.

When the race eventually attempted to get underway, further trouble emerged. Several cars suffered power unit problems during a wet set of formation laps, forcing officials to red-flag proceedings and sending the start of the grand prix into chaos, as reported by both Autosport and Motorsport.com.

Away from the drama on track, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc provided a lighter moment earlier in the weekend, arriving at Sepang in matching sports saloons — a pairing that, per Motorsport.com, continued the Ferrari drivers' tradition of turning heads with their choice of transport to race weekends.