Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday for his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season, after the race start at the Sepang International Circuit was delayed by more than 90 minutes because of treacherous conditions. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished second for Mercedes while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton came home third.
Verstappen, who had fallen behind both Mercedes cars at the start, recovered to take his 72nd grand prix victory after the race resumed at the end of lap 51 of 55. Antonelli's teammate and closest title rival George Russell was running third when he retired with a suspected power unit issue with five laps to go, dealing a blow to his championship hopes. The Bahrain race is being held at Sepang after its relocation from Bahrain amid instability in the Middle East.
Top 10
The top 10 was completed by Charles Leclerc (fourth), Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Arvid Lindblad. Alex Albon and Valtteri Bottas also failed to finish the race.
Title race
The result extends Antonelli's lead in the drivers' standings, while Russell's late retirement widens the gap between the two Mercedes drivers as the season heads into its final stretch. It was Verstappen's first win since the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Sources:
Reuters — Verstappen wins rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
CNA — Verstappen wins rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Verstappen, who had fallen behind both Mercedes cars at the start, recovered to take his 72nd grand prix victory after the race resumed at the end of lap 51 of 55. Antonelli's teammate and closest title rival George Russell was running third when he retired with a suspected power unit issue with five laps to go, dealing a blow to his championship hopes. The Bahrain race is being held at Sepang after its relocation from Bahrain amid instability in the Middle East.
Top 10
The top 10 was completed by Charles Leclerc (fourth), Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Arvid Lindblad. Alex Albon and Valtteri Bottas also failed to finish the race.
Title race
The result extends Antonelli's lead in the drivers' standings, while Russell's late retirement widens the gap between the two Mercedes drivers as the season heads into its final stretch. It was Verstappen's first win since the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Sources:
Reuters — Verstappen wins rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
CNA — Verstappen wins rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
