Overview
- Race day, Sunday, began with heavy tropical rain that delayed the start by roughly 40 minutes and then saw multiple cars lose drive on the formation lap because of a software fault.
- The FIA identified the problem as a controller bug triggered by very low engine speeds, wet‑weather energy management settings and Sepang’s sector layout and issued a software parameter update before the race restarted.
- Max Verstappen converted pole into victory after the delayed restart, while George Russell retired with a power‑unit failure with five laps remaining and Kimi Antonelli extended his championship lead.
- Teams made split tyre calls in changing conditions that produced safety‑car periods and large position swings, and Lewis Hamilton recovered from 18th to finish third after a bold early slick tyre gamble.
- Drivers, team reps and the FIA have called for a full technical review and more wet‑condition testing of the new hybrid power units as Malaysian organisers discuss a possible longer‑term place for Sepang on the F1 calendar.