That said, Formula 1 fans got a proper show on Sunday during the first lap of racing action at the Sepang International Circuit. Pre-race rain, a rapidly drying track surface, and a host of different tyre selections combined to make things completely wild.
Here's the thing: the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was initially delayed due to thunderstorms in the area. Then, the first race start procedure got suspended when several drivers struggled to maintain speed on the formation lap.
After a lengthy wait, the race eventually began in slippery, mixed conditions. Naturally, this led to split tyre strategies and plenty of early movement up and down the order.
A portion of drivers opted for intermediate tyres. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hulkenberg, Ollie Bearman, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, and Franco Colapinto all chose soft slicks. On the other side of the gamble, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso, and Lance Stroll bolted on mediums.
Struggling for grip, Perez pitted at the end of the first lap behind the Safety Car to take on intermediates. Piastri, Bortoleto, Stroll, and Hulkenberg followed suit a lap later, meaning they lined up in the pit lane as their rivals tackled a standing start.
