SEPANG, Oct 4 — The Bahrain Grand Prix is now scheduled to start at 4.33pm today after torrential rain forced Formula One officials to repeatedly delay proceedings at the Sepang International Circuit.

The race had originally been due to start at 3pm local time, but a heavy downpour swept across the circuit shortly before lights out and left conditions unsuitable for racing.

Race Control initially announced a delayed start because of “excessive rain”, with no immediate replacement time given.

A revised formation lap was later scheduled for 3.40pm, but the weather continued to disrupt proceedings before officials eventually set a new race start time of 4.33pm.

The prolonged delay has left pole-sitter Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton waiting to lead the field away from the front row.

Verstappen secured pole for Red Bull in qualifying yesterday, with Hamilton alongside him after producing a late lap to claim his first front-row start since Barcelona.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is due to start third for Mercedes following a five-place grid penalty for Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar.

Torrential rain arrived about 20 minutes before the original scheduled start, halting preparations as standing water accumulated around the circuit.

The wet weather has added another complication to a weekend already marked by low grip and heavy tyre degradation at Sepang.

Pirelli had earlier pointed to the circuit’s dusty and abrasive surface as contributing to increased sliding and tyre wear.

Barring any further intervention from Race Control, the field is now due to get under way at 4.33pm.