What happened: The start of the Bahrain Grand Prix was suspended Sunday after severe thunderstorms hit the Sepang International Circuit. As Race Control monitored the weather, a track marshal entertained waiting fans by pretending to ride a broomstick while clearing standing water. Drivers began a formation lap after a 40-minute delay before officials halted the procedure.

Why it matters: The wet conditions contributed to a chaotic initial rollout for the front row. Red Bull polesitter Max Verstappen and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton both reported technical issues on track. Officials issued a secondary delay while teams worked to resolve the complications.

What to watch: Race Control will maintain the original grid order once the starting procedure resumes.