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2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

FIA removes serious point of jeopardy overnight at Sepang

The FIA has removed a considerable point of jeopardy overnight at the Sepang International Circuit with a track change following concerns raised by the drivers in FP1 and FP2.

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The FIA has moved the pit-entry bollard at the Sepang International Circuit ahead of FP3 for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after drivers raised concerns about the procedure during Friday's running.

The bollard had initially been positioned at the edge of the circuit at the final corner, Turn 15, to mark the beginning of the pit entry.

Under the Race Director's Competition Notes, any driver who ran wide and passed to the right of the bollard was deemed to have entered the pit lane and was required to continue through it rather than return to the circuit.

The arrangement immediately created difficulties during the opening two practice sessions.

Liam Lawson and Valtteri Bottas were both shown black-and-white flags in FP1 for failing to follow the instruction and remaining on the circuit after passing the bollard.

Kimi Antonelli suffered the same fate in FP2, while his Mercedes team-mate George Russell complied with the instruction when he ran wide and entered the pits.

The incidents highlighted the potential consequences of the positioning should the same situation arise during the race, particularly given the possibility of a driver running wide at the final corner while battling another car.

The FIA has therefore amended the Race Director's notes overnight and moved the bollard further back.

The change means drivers who run wide at Turn 15 will now be able to remain on the circuit without having to negotiate the bollard and commit to the pit lane.

Check out the new positioning of the bollard below!

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bhr Bahrain GP 04 Oct 2026
sgp Singapore GP 11 Oct 2026
usa United States GP 25 Oct 2026
mex Mexico City GP 01 Nov 2026
bra Brazilian GP 08 Nov 2026
usa Las Vegas GP 22 Nov 2026
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RESULTS 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia - Sepang Free Practice 2