Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; Score808 Live provides the summary and editorial framing.
Verstappen Masters Mixed Conditions to End Win Drought
Max Verstappen converted a turbulent, rain-disrupted afternoon into his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, held at Sepang after a nine-year absence from the venue. The Red Bull driver survived multiple start delays and two Safety Car interventions to secure the 72nd win of his career, ending a dry spell dating back to the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen surrendered his pole advantage during the initial laps as the field navigated treacherous standing water. Once the racing line stabilized, however, the Dutchman systematically rebuilt his command over the field, opening a buffer in excess of 10 seconds before a late neutralization compressed the margins.
Hamilton Recovers from Ferrari Tyre Gamble to Take Third
The race hinged on high-risk tyre selections at the delayed start. Ferrari opted to launch Lewis Hamilton from the front row on dry slick tyres while the circuit remained excessively wet. The tactical miscalculation immediately dropped Hamilton to 18th place, adrift of the lead by more than a minute.
A timely Safety Car and a calculated decision from the cockpit spared Ferrari from worsening the deficit. Hamilton instructed the pit wall to forego a reactive switch to intermediate tyres, anticipating that track evolution would shift rapidly back toward slicks. As the tarmac dried, Hamilton mounted an aggressive recovery drive through the field, ultimately overtaking Red Bull's Isack Hadjar in the closing stages to secure third place—Ferrari's first podium in six rounds—with Charles Leclerc following through for fourth.
Antonelli Expands Championship Lead Amid Russell Retirement
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli crossed the line in second place, substantially reinforcing his position at the summit of the Drivers' Championship. The Italian driver now holds an 84-point cushion over teammate George Russell with seven rounds remaining.
Russell had been tracking Antonelli in third position before pulling off the circuit under the race's second Safety Car—triggered by Alex Albon's stranded Williams—with five laps remaining due to a suspected power-unit failure. The retirement dealt a severe blow to Russell's title campaign just one week after his victory in Baku.
Midfield Battles and Final Classification
Behind the lead quartet, Hadjar retained fifth place for Red Bull ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri in sixth. Liam Lawson secured seventh for Racing Bulls, while Fernando Alonso logged a season-best eighth place for Aston Martin. Lando Norris took ninth after a brief excursion through the gravel during the late Safety Car phase, and rookie Arvid Lindblad completed the points scorers in 10th for Racing Bulls.
Top 10 Race Results: Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
Next on the Calendar
Formula 1 travels directly to the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix, which will host the final Sprint weekend of the 2026 campaign.
