PETALING JAYA: Nine years after Formula One last roared around Sepang, over 100,000 fans packed the circuit yesterday for a dramatic comeback marked by torrential rain, a 90-minute delay, traffic jams, motorcycle rides from strangers – and, eventually, racing.
Rain was already pouring as Negaraku rang out across Sepang International Circuit ahead of the scheduled 3pm start, soaking spectators, officials and performers awaiting the first F1 race here since 2017.Even the orchestra conductor was drenched as he stood through the national anthem.
Formula 1’s official X account later posted footage of cars heading out onto the soaked circuit with the caption: “Here’s a taste of the current conditions in Sepang.”
The downpour forced race officials to delay the start for more than 90 minutes as marshals worked to clear standing water from the track.
News reports said conditions remained slippery when cars were finally sent out, with Isack Hadjar aquaplaning into the gravel while several drivers encountered technical problems during the start.
But the wait did little to thin the crowd.
More than 100,000 spectators stayed put despite the heavy rain, including those in uncovered areas who waited soaked.
Many of them happily waved to the cameras linked to the display boards around the track and to TV screens worldwide, showing they were excited to be there.
The weekend also presented challenges outside of the track.
Long waits for shuttle buses and heavy traffic around Sepang left some fans struggling to get to and from the circuit, prompting an impromptu Malaysian response.
Social media clips showed local motorcyclists ferrying stranded fans through gridlocked traffic to help them reach the grandstands in time.
Additional shuttle buses and personnel were also deployed, with reports of smoother movement into the circuit than on previous days.
On the track, Max Verstappen eventually won the rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.
Formula One described the race as one of changing conditions, split tyre strategies and action throughout the field.
But for Hamilton, the crowd appeared to be as memorable as the race itself.
The seven-time world champion said in his post-race interview that yesterday’s race was the best he had experienced at Sepang, adding that the crowd was the best too.
His praise followed similar remarks after qualifying on Saturday, when he told reporters: “I think this is the biggest crowd we’ve ever seen here, at least in my time of driving.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, said after the race that it was “super nice to win here”, while Antonelli said second place was the maximum Mercedes could have achieved after struggling more than usual.
