THE BIG PICTURE: Besides the embarrassment of what happened on the formation laps in the rain, there are two other bigger picture issues around this absurdity. One, what would the FIA have done if the software bug could not be corrected before the sun went down? Actually cancel the race? Two, what kind of look is it when a governing body technically controls so much of how the teams perform? Perception is everything when thinking of what the FIA can do to hamper or improve particular teams.

EVENT: You can dress it up all you want making believe we were in Bahrain. But the dead giveaway is when a mansoon hits a pretend desert location. At least the real locals seemed to be having a great time seeing F1 return to Malaysia.

TRACK: Without F1 in nine years, the surface standards were allowed to degrade, which meant a track that didn't dry out as fast as expected, not to mention tires sucking up more pavement bits.

QUALIFYING: This time it was not a surprise as Red Bull's aerodynamic upgrades worked perfectly allowing Verstappen to get his first pole of 2026, this was a Ferrari type track but still a bit surprising to get second, Russell is hugely disappointed, McLaren were just not fast here, and both Aston Martins got out of Q1.

RACE: Once the race got started for real, it was a great race with some spectacular passes.

START: First the absurdity of not being able to complete the formation lap in the wet. Then, a bug fix in just 20 minutes (kudos to that turnaround). Finally, Mercedes are phenomenal jumping to the top two, the slick tire runners dropped like lead balloons, and Piastri starting from pit lane is 10th in half a lap.

VERSTAPPEN: Max is happy again. He would have won this race no matter the conditions. He and his car were on it all weekend.

HADJAR: Isack got a bit frustrated.

RED BULL: A little late this year, compared to last year, getting this car right. But, now we can enjoy another contender for the rest of the season.

ANTONELLI: Took what was offered, and opened up essentially an insurmountable lead.

RUSSELL: Who has the George voodoo doll?

MERCEDES: Still having engine reliability issues.

FERRARI: Everyone is talking about how Ferrari nailed their last strategy call. And they did. But, if there weren't any safety cars, everyone would be talking about how Ferrari screwed up their first strategy call.

HAMILTON: But Lewis will take that luck. Though, he probably wished it was a dry race, starting from the front row.

PIASTRI: An overlooked drive. Oscar was excellent.

MCLAREN: But the papaya team was off all weekend.

NORRIS: Always keep your eyes on the road, Lando.

LAWSON: Strong drive for Liam.

ALONSO: In difficult conditions, the car quality doesn't matter for Fernando. He'll shine.

STROLL: Though Lance didn't do half bad either, so...

ASTON MARTIN: ...this track worked well for Aston Martin.

WILLIAMS: So much for the brief respite in Baku.

FIA: They really need to get a handle on these longer than necessary virtual and regular safety car ordeals.

WORD OF THE WEEKEND: Ridiculous.

STAT OF THE WEEKEND: 3 -- The number of times the same driver won both Bahrain and Malaysia: 2009 (Jenson Button), 2013 (Sebastian Vettel), and 2014 (Lewis Hamilton). Do you count this year as number four...?

HISTORICAL STAT OF THE WEEKEND: This is the fourth time a grand prix took place in a country different than the country name it held. The first was the Swiss GP, whose country banned racing after the 1955 Le Mans disaster, in 1975 (a non championship race won by Clay Regazzoni in a Ferrari) and 1982 (Keke Rosberg's only victory that year in a Williams en route to a world championship) held in Dijon, France. Next came the San Marino GP, which was the longest tenured and closest to it's namesake (34 miles) held in Imola from 1981 to 2006 (Michael Schumacher had the most wins with seven). Lastly, the Luxembourg GP was held at the Nurburgring in 1997 (Jacques Villeneuve in a Williams-Renault) and 1998 (Mika Hakkinen in a McLaren-Mercedes). Who knows, we might have another one before the season is over...

TWEET OF THE WEEKEND: From @SpeedSectorF1:

Max Verstappen ALREADY WARNED in Australia about software issues:

"The FIA, when you're too low on revs or something like that, they shut something down"

"For a few seconds you're stuck in a mode where nothing works"

#F1 #BahrainGP

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Lewis Hamilton on the crazy wet formation laps, "It was like the Lego race. It was the same speed!"

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Carlos Sainz once again on these new rules, "Clearly what was decided four or five years ago is wrong, and today proves it again."

SCHEDULE: Red Bull has notoriously done poorly at Singapore. It was even the one track which prevented an undefeated season in 2023. Will these new rules and car finally be different for them?

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