Verstappen Wins Rain-Hit Bahrain GP in Malaysia for First Victory of 2026

Max Verstappen won a chaotic, rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on Sunday, claiming his and Red Bull’s first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

The Dutchman crossed the line 2.307 seconds ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton third after a stirring recovery drive. It was Verstappen’s 72nd career win and his first since last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen wins a chaotic race twice delayed by rain

The Verstappen wins story began in near-farcical conditions. Heavy rain pushed the start back by more than 90 minutes, and the formation lap turned messy when several cars, including Verstappen’s and Hamilton’s, crawled along after an apparent software problem linked to an update issued by the FIA during the delay.

When the race finally got under way on a wet track, polesitter Verstappen lost the lead to the Mercedes pair of Antonelli and George Russell on the run to Turn 1. All three were on intermediate tyres, while Hamilton’s gamble to start on slicks backfired badly and dropped him toward the back of the field.

Verstappen repassed Russell for second on lap six. A safety car for Valtteri Bottas, who spun at Turn 13, gave the leaders the ideal window to switch from intermediates to slicks, and Verstappen seized the lead from Antonelli at the restart. From there he was alone at the front.

“It is really nice to win after the year that we’ve had and all the progression that we’ve made,” a delighted Verstappen said. “I’m incredibly proud of everyone, and it’s just super nice to win here.”

Russell’s heartbreak, Hamilton’s comeback

The late drama belonged to George Russell. Running third and closing on his teammate, his Mercedes stopped with a suspected power unit failure with five laps left, a potentially fatal blow to his fading title hopes. A second safety car period, for Alex Albon’s stranded Williams, had set up a short run to the flag.

Hamilton, who had fallen to 17th after his tyre gamble, fought back through the field and inherited third from Russell’s misfortune. Charles Leclerc took fourth in the other Ferrari, ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Liam Lawson was seventh for Racing Bulls, Fernando Alonso a season-best eighth for Aston Martin, with world champion Lando Norris ninth and rookie Arvid Lindblad tenth.

The win also made history as the first for Red Bull Ford Powertrains in their debut year as a power unit supplier.

What the result means

Antonelli’s second place stretched his drivers’ championship lead to 84 points over Russell, with Verstappen moving level with Norris on 188 points. Formula 1 returned to Sepang after a nine-year absence, with the Bahrain round relocated to Malaysia because Gulf disruption linked to the US-led war with Iran made the Sakhir circuit too risky. The paddock now moves to Singapore for a night race with a sprint next weekend.

Frequently asked questions

How did Verstappen win the Bahrain GP in Malaysia?

He lost the lead at the start to the two Mercedes, fought back to second, then took the lead from Kimi Antonelli after the safety car restart and pulled clear on slick tyres.

Why was the race delayed?

Heavy rain at Sepang pushed the start back by more than 90 minutes, and problems on the formation lap caused further confusion before the race finally began.

Who leads the F1 championship now?

Kimi Antonelli, whose second place extended his lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 84 points.