What time will the Bahrain Grand Prix start? Weather forecast after race delayed by heavy rain

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix - taking place in Malaysia - has been delayed by heavy rain this morning.The race was initially due to get under way at 8am BST, only for the Sepang International Circuit to be soaked by an unrelenting downpour.The rain finally started to ease and the formation lap was re-scheduled for 8:40am BST, after which the grand prix was expected to begin with Max Verstappen on pole position, though the wet track and any further rain always had the obvious potential to cause more disruption.And so it proved, with starting procedures again suspended as problems ensued on the formation lap, with multiple cars and drivers experiencing issues in chaotic scenes before returning to the pit lane once more.Kimi Antonelli will start third behind Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton as he seeks to extend his 66-point lead in the F1 Drivers’ Standings on Sunday.At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, George Russell claimed an important victory over his Mercedes colleague, who was fifth, with a resurgent Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar completing the podium. Antonelli had crashed out by hitting the wall in the first session of qualifying in Baku, leaving him in 16th position on the starting grid. Russell could only qualify seventh in Malaysia however amid a surprise lack of pace in his Silver Arrow on Saturday.Marshals sweep water from the track before the Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaGettyWhen is the Bahrain Grand Prix?The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix takes place today on Sunday, October 4 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The race was due to start at 8am BST - 3pm local time - only for heavy rain to delay proceedings. A new formation lap was scheduled for 8:40am BST, though starting procedures were again quickly suspended after multiple drivers experienced problems out on the track.Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place in Malaysia?The original Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix weekends were cancelled at the start of the year as a result of the conflict in Iran.Read MoreHowever, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was able to negotiate a deal to revive the event, agreeing that it would go ahead in Malaysia instead in October.Geographically, a return to Sepang after a nine-year hiatus makes sense, with the drivers able to travel via Malaysia from Baku for the Singapore Grand Prix, which follows this race. Bahrain Grand Prix starting gridRace control have confirmed that the grand prix will begin with the original grid order after confusion reigned following a chaotic formation lap that saw a software issue for Hamilton.1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)5. Lando Norris (McLaren)6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)7. George Russell (Mercedes)8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)14. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)15. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)16. Oliver Bearman (Haas)18. Alex Albon (Williams)19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)20. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)21. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)22. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)How to watch the Bahrain Grand PrixTV channel: In the UK, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix is available to watch live on Sky Sports F1. The main build-up started at 6.30am BST on Sunday morning.Coverage is also available throughout the morning via Sky Sports Main Event.Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the action live online through the Sky Go app.Multiple cars experienced issues during a delayed formation lap in SepangGettyBahrain Grand Prix weather forecastIt remains very cloudy in Sepang, where there are high temperatures of around 32 degrees that will feel more like 39 degrees with the extreme humidity. The rain should now hold off to allow the race to finally begin, but they will need to sort the issues with the cars and let the track dry out somewhat.Bahrain Grand Prix oddsWe aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK's best online gambling companies.Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.