Lawson began Sepang’s formation lap without team radio
GPBeat reports that Lawson knew before pulling away for Sepang’s formation lap that he had no team radio. He said he did not know which mode to use or whether overtaking was allowed, and that a switch change read from his pit board restored contact.
Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-06GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration
Lawson told RacingNews365 he knew before pulling away for Sepang’s formation lap that he had no team radio. As cars slowed around him, he could not speak to the team and did not know whether overtaking was allowed.
Thunderstorms had delayed Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, and the first start procedure was suspended after several drivers struggled to maintain speed on the formation lap. Lawson said he was very stressed by the many procedures in the 2026 car and had no idea which mode he was meant to use. He described the moment this way: “That was probably the most alone I've ever felt.”
His radio problem was separate from the cars that stopped: RacingNews365 said Lawson was not among the drivers affected and reported that the FIA attributed the stoppages to a software bug. Lawson said he got the radio back after reading and carrying out a switch change shown on his pit board as he drove down the start-finish straight.
When the race finally began in slippery, mixed conditions, Lawson was on intermediates. He climbed from 11th to fourth after the first racing lap, gaining seven places, and finished seventh after 55 laps.
Sources 04
- SOURCELiam Lawson faced alarming obstacle in Sepang confusion: 'Most alone I've ever felt'RacingNews365 English
- PRIMARY SOURCEWho gained and lost the most places at the start in Sepang?Formula 1
- PRIMARY SOURCEDoc 60 - Final Race ClassificationFIA F1 decision documents
- SOURCEFernando Alonso questions critical decision as FIA explain Bahrain start chaos - RacingNews365 ReviewRacingNews365 English
Claims and supporting evidence 9
Formula 1’s race-day account supports the delay and suspended start procedure.
RacingNews365 records Lawson’s account of when he knew the radio was unavailable.
Both the stress and uncertainty about the mode are attributed to Lawson.
RacingNews365 records this as Lawson’s account of the start sequence.
This is presented as Lawson’s own subjective description.
The software explanation is attributed to RacingNews365’s account of what the FIA said.
RacingNews365 reports Lawson’s description of the pit-board instruction and the radio returning.
Formula 1’s first-lap table gives Lawson’s starting position, position after one lap and tyre choice.
The FIA final classification lists Lawson seventh in the classification after 55 laps.
This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.