Behind the PaddockIndependent Formula 1 news, race reports and the stories behind them.https://behindthepaddock.com/What it was really like at Sepang: a roaring crowd, a great race and a long way homehttps://behindthepaddock.com/articles/what-it-was-really-like-at-sepang/https://behindthepaddock.com/articles/what-it-was-really-like-at-sepang/Record crowds, a 93-minute rain delay the fans took in their stride, and a journey home that tested everyone's patience. F1's return to Sepang, from the ground.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:42:00 GMTNewshello@behindthepaddock.com (Behind the Paddock)5 talking points from F1's chaotic return to Sepanghttps://behindthepaddock.com/articles/5-talking-points-from-f1s-chaotic-return-to-sepang/https://behindthepaddock.com/articles/5-talking-points-from-f1s-chaotic-return-to-sepang/Verstappen finally wins in 2026, Hamilton recovers from 18th, Russell's title hopes take a hit and a record 261,000 fans show Malaysia still loves F1.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:25:00 GMTRace reportshello@behindthepaddock.com (Behind the Paddock)Has F1 put too much software between the driver and the car? What Sepang's stalled start tells ushttps://behindthepaddock.com/articles/has-f1-put-too-much-software-between-the-driver-and-the-car/https://behindthepaddock.com/articles/has-f1-put-too-much-software-between-the-driver-and-the-car/At Sepang, F1 cars crawled to a stop in the rain and were fixed by a software patch, not a mechanic. It reopened 2026's big question: is F1 still about the driver?Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:19:00 GMTNewshello@behindthepaddock.com (Behind the Paddock)F1 is back at Sepang: what it means for Malaysia's hopes of a permanent racehttps://behindthepaddock.com/articles/f1-is-back-at-sepang-what-it-means-for-malaysias-hopes-of-a-permanent-race/https://behindthepaddock.com/articles/f1-is-back-at-sepang-what-it-means-for-malaysias-hopes-of-a-permanent-race/A record 261,000 fans turned up and the Prime Minister is talking to F1. But money, contracts and a crowded calendar stand in the way.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:05:00 GMTNewshello@behindthepaddock.com (Behind the Paddock)Why the Bahrain Grand Prix was held in Malaysia, explainedhttps://behindthepaddock.com/articles/why-the-bahrain-grand-prix-was-held-in-malaysia/https://behindthepaddock.com/articles/why-the-bahrain-grand-prix-was-held-in-malaysia/A war in the Gulf, an eight-week deal and a race that kept its name. How Sepang ended up hosting Bahrain's Grand Prix in October 2026.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:58:00 GMTNewshello@behindthepaddock.com (Behind the Paddock)