Formula 1 had to urgently correct the pole position on the starting grid in Sepang, where the Bahrain Grand Prix of Formula 1 will be held in Malaysia. The change occurred after the FIA identified an error in the markings painted on the track.
During the circuit reconnaissance, conducted on Wednesday (the 30th), team representatives noticed that the bracket designated for the pole had been painted on the left side of the track. In previous races held at Sepang, the top starting position was on the right-hand side.
According to The Race portal, the origin of the problem was administrative. The documentation used in preparing the event incorrectly indicated how the brackets should be painted, and the circuit officials simply determined that the event promoters should implement the correction.
To solve the problem, the original pole painting was covered in black, while the marking corresponding to the second place was adopted as the new top starting position. The incorrect position was ahead of the original starting line, which could potentially interfere with the timing system.
