Sepang Chaos: Hamilton Warning and FIA Grid Blunder Mark Bahrain GP Start

The return to Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia has been anything but smooth. From steward warnings for Lewis Hamilton to a baffling FIA painting error on the starting grid, the weekend has already delivered high drama before the lights have even gone out for the main event.

Why it matters:

These early hiccups underscore the volatility of the 2026 season. Small technical oversights and the extreme environmental conditions of Sepang are already disrupting team strategies, proving that raw pace means little if reliability and operational precision falter.

The Details:

• Hamilton Under Scrutiny: Lewis Hamilton has been handed a warning by the stewards after impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during FP2. This adds to the frustration surrounding a faulty Ferrari mirror that has caused friction with rivals.
• FIA's Grid Blunder: In a rare operational lapse, the FIA had to make a late change to the starting grid after the pole position mark was mistakenly painted on the wrong side of the track.
• Mercedes' Thermal Struggle: George Russell warned that the team's long-awaited aerodynamic upgrades are being "neutralized" by extreme tyre overheating, failing to meet the team's high pre-event expectations.
• Red Bull's Strategic Hedge: Max Verstappen opted for an unconventional run plan in FP2, a contrarian move designed to mitigate the risks of the region's unpredictable rain.
• Management Speculation: Martin Brundle has dismissed rumors of Christian Horner eyeing the Ferrari team principal role, following a direct phone call to the Red Bull boss to clarify the speculation.

What's next:

Attention now turns to whether Mercedes can resolve their thermal degradation issues before the race. Furthermore, the paddock will be watching to see if Ferrari can fix the mirror glitches affecting Hamilton, as any further technical distractions could jeopardize their competitive edge in the searing Malaysian heat.