3-Hour Shuttle Waits, Rain, Software Glitches: Everything That Happened At F1 In Sepang
A very, very eventful weekend for so many Malaysians watching F1 live for the first time!
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The long-awaited F1 weekend in Sepang is officially over — and it certainly wasn't short on drama
From thousands of fans being left waiting for shuttle buses to a rain delay, software issues, and Max Verstappen finally returning to the top step of the podium, here's a lowdown on what happened during the 2026 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
1. Fans faced long waits for shuttle buses after Friday's practice sessions
The weekend got off to a rocky start when thousands of fans appeared to be stranded outside the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) after Friday's practice sessions ended.
Videos and photos circulating online showed long queues of people waiting along the roads outside the circuit for shuttle buses to take them out of the venue.
Some attendees, including British content creator Ryan Howlett, claimed they finished watching practice at around 6pm but waited until 9pm before they were able to board a shuttle bus.
Many others reported only reaching home around midnight, with some saying their journeys home took around six hours.
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2. Some fans chose to walk up to 10km to reach their cars
With long queues and limited shuttle buses, some F1 attendees reportedly decided to walk instead.
Some said they spent between one and two hours walking to their cars parked Mitsui Outlet Park and KLIA2, even after spending most of the day at the circuit in the heat.
In a media statement, Rapid KL clarified that its shuttle bus operations were carried out as planned and in accordance with the arrangements agreed upon with the event organiser.
However, acknowledging the feedback from F1 attendees, it said it would work with SIC and other relevant agencies to improve the shuttle arrangements.
By Saturday and Sunday, some racegoers reported smoother passenger and traffic flow around the circuit.
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3. The weekend drew a record 261,000 spectators
Despite the transport issues on Friday, the weekend drew a massive crowd of Malaysian F1 fans.
According to Bernama, a total of 261,000 spectators attended the F1 weekend, setting a new attendance record for SIC and surpassing previous Malaysian Grand Prix figures.
The energy was palpable, with photos and videos shared on social media showing packed grandstands, fans filling the hillstand, and excited crowds doing waves while waiting for the races.
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The enthusiasm was also felt by the drivers, with Lewis Hamilton saying he was impressed by the reception.
"Well, I mean, listen to this crowd. I think this is the biggest crowd we've ever seen here, at least in my time of driving. I love this energy. Big, big thank you to Malaysia for welcoming us," he said.
The strong turnout has also reignited hopes that Malaysia could eventually return to the official F1 calendar.
According to the New Straits Times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is actively discussing the possibility of bringing Formula One back to Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also at Sepang this weekend.
Image via New Straits Times4. Sunday's race was delayed by about one and a half hours after torrential rain
Then came the actual race — although fans had to wait a little longer than expected.
The race was originally scheduled to start at 3pm on Sunday but was delayed by about one and a half hours after heavy rain swept across Sepang.
A revised formation lap was initially scheduled for 3.40pm before the race finally got underway at around 4.40pm.
But the rain wasn't the only thing causing problems.
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5. A software issue caused chaos during the formation lap
Before the race could even properly begin, several drivers suffered an unexpected loss of power during the formation lap.
Many spectators noticed the issue, saying the cars were moving unusually slowly. Drivers also described the bizarre situation as feeling like they were driving battery-powered cars made of LEGO.
According to the FIA, it was an "unprecedented combination" of low engine speed, low-grip conditions, wet-weather energy management settings, and Sepang's sector configuration that caused the unintended loss of power for several cars.
The cars eventually returned to the pit lane, with the start delayed for another 53 minutes as teams resolved the issue.
The FIA has since promised a full review of the incident.
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6. Max Verstappen finally returned to the top step of the podium
Once the race finally got underway, there was plenty to celebrate.
The Red Bull Racing driver, who started from pole after topping Saturday's qualifying session, secured his first victory of the season in the hectic Malaysian race.
It was also a particularly fitting win for Verstappen, who won the last Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017.
Asked after the race whether his 72nd victory was his sweetest, Verstappen said it was particularly meaningful after the team's struggles earlier in the season.
"It's a really nice one, after the year that we've had and the progression that we've made. I'm incredibly proud of everyone, and it's just super nice to win here," he said.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli finished second, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton took third.
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7. Lewis Hamilton made an astonishing comeback to finish on the podium
The seven-time world champion also had an eventful afternoon.
Hamilton dropped as low as P18 on lap 10 after starting on the front row with dry-weather tyres and struggling in the early wet conditions.
But as the track dried, he fought his way back through the field to secure third place and a podium finish.
It was an impressive comeback that gave Malaysian fans plenty to cheer about.
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8. George Russell's race ended in heartbreak
While Antonelli had a strong run, his Mercedes teammate did not have the same luck.
Russell had looked set to finish third before suffering late heartbreak with just five laps remaining.
His car appeared to develop a power-unit problem during a late Safety Car period, forcing him to retire from the race.
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The chaotic start, record attendance, dramatic race, and Malaysian energy has made for a memorable F1 weekend in Sepang
Many fans are hoping we won't have to wait too many years before hearing the roar of F1 at Sepang again.
