Max Verstappen secures first win of 2026 season at Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Max Verstappen broke his 2026 duck with a masterful victory at the Sepang International Circuit, claiming his first win of the season in a wildly unpredictable Bahrain Grand Prix hosted in Malaysia, since his last win at the last race of 2025 season in Abu Dhabi.

After a heavy pre-race downpour significantly delayed proceedings, the Red Bull driver executed a flawless race from pole position to beat championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while Lewis Hamilton carved his way through the field to seal a spectacular podium finish.

Max Verstappen has now extended his record of 10 consecutive seasons with wins to 11 seasons thanks to this victory.

Rain chaos and strategy gambles

The return of Formula 1 to Malaysia for the first time since 2017 brought immense anticipation, only for a torrential downpour 40 minutes before lights out to throw the grid into disarray.

Read more: Max Verstappen grabs his first pole position of 2026 in Malaysia

What followed was a protracted 93-minute delay, a suspended starting procedure and widespread confusion regarding tyre strategy on a rapidly drying, highly abrasive track. The Medical Car went out several times to check conditions.

The Medical Car is doing a quick recce – it’s so wet out there! 👉 A reminder that the race start has been delayed #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/BmFLKmnUUW

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

When the standing start finally occurred, the grid was heavily split. While the majority, including Verstappen and the Mercedes duo, opted for intermediate tyres, a brave few, including Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris, gambled on slicks.

LIGHTS OUT IN SEPANG! 🎥 Antonelli powers into the lead 💪 #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/tm02XYeX12

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

The gamble initially backfired spectacularly. The slick runners were swamped off the line, with Hamilton plummeting from his front-row grid slot to 10th by the end of the opening lap and even further as the race went on.

Antonelli capitalised, snatching the lead from Verstappen as the intermediates proved to be the correct initial choice. Russel took the second position, and even took the lead on the starting laps, but later was overtaken by his teammate on pure pace.

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Kimi 💥 bollard Antonelli’s off-track excursion at Turn 15 has cost him valuable time to leader Verstappen #F1 #BahrainGP | LAP 24/55 https://t.co/q4yU8yp55T

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Kimi’s run after overtaking Russel had it’s own adventures, like him running over the bollard at the pit entrance.

Further down the grid, Charles drove into Hulkenberg slightly losing grip oh his softs, breaking off a piece of the Audi car t the start of the race, but did not receive a penalty.

Rewind to the race start ⏪ Contact between Leclerc and Hulkenberg 💥 #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/tEq7rq1TQf

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Verstappen takes control

Verstappen’s Red Bull quickly showed superior pace in the damp conditions. He shadowed Antonelli before the race swung heavily towards the slick runners. A full Safety Car, deployed on Lap 10 after Valtteri Bottas spun his Cadillac into the gravel, prompted a mass exodus into the pit lane.

Bottas is off and beached in the gravel ⚠️ SAFETY CAR ⚠️ #F1 #BahrainGP | LAP 9/56 https://t.co/IA5b2tQ6kc

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Verstappen bolted on the soft compound and, upon the restart, immediately dispatched Antonelli to reclaim the lead. From there, the four-time world champion looked unstoppable, building a commanding advantage and seamlessly managing his tyre degradation on the demanding Sepang asphalt.

There was no stopping Max at the restart 🤩 #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/D8i9GQltM3

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

He held his nerve through subsequent Virtual Safety Car and full Safety Car periods, confirming his status as a Sepang specialist by repeating his victory from the last Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017.

But several positions down the grid, Gabriel Bortoleto drove into Carlos Sainz, making him spin and lose many positions, for which Bortoleto later received a 10-second penalty.

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Rewind to the restart on Lap 13 ⏪ Sainz goes sideways courtesy of a bump from Bortoleto That’s a 10-second penalty for Gabi #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/KZ64kGoWh0

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Heartbreak for Russell, redemption for Hamilton

Behind the dominant Red Bull, the race evolved into a tale of contrasting fortunes for the Mercedes pair. Antonelli, managing his pace on the medium tyres, consolidated second place. However, his team-mate George Russell, desperately needing points to close the 66-point championship gap, suffered catastrophic heartbreak.

No fear 👊 Here’s Antonelli’s pass on Russell 🎥 #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/oUmGniQ1GG

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Running in the top three under a late Safety Car, Russell was forced to pull over on the main straight with a terminal power unit issue, dealing a massive blow to his title aspirations.

George Russell has pulled over! 😮 Head in hands – he’s out of the race 💔 #F1 #BahrainGP | LAP 50/55 https://t.co/RVS0K2odD1

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Kimi Antonelli now leads the championship by 84 points from his teammate due to the PU issue.

Absolute agony for George 😢 #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/BEKWo1nYgN

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

As George Russel stopped his car, Lando Norris went off the track into the gravel, losing track positions at the turn 1.

Conversely, Hamilton authored a stunning comeback. Having dropped to the back during a chaotic initial formation lap due to a software glitch, and subsequently suffering on his initial slick tyre gamble, the seven-time champion displayed vintage form.

What’s going on?! As Russell pulls over, Norris runs wide at Turn 1 😵 The Safety Car is still on track #F1 #BahrainGP | LAP 50/55 https://t.co/sPJoQUDgtq

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Managing his tyres expertly through the varied conditions, Lewis Hamilton scythed his way back up the order, culminating in a late pass on Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar to snatch third place much to the delight of the passionate Malaysian crowd.

Onboard with Hamilton and he chases Hadjar Albon at the side of shot has pulled up bringing out the Virtual Safety Car 👀 #F1 #BahrainGP | LAP 44/55 https://t.co/E3LhuOkLU1

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Charles Leclerc, who also languished in last place following a slow pit stop, executed a similar recovery drive to finish fourth.

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Midfield battles and double points for Racing Bulls

The chaotic race provided ample opportunity for the midfield, and Racing Bulls capitalised brilliantly in their constructor’s battle against Alpine. Liam Lawson impressed throughout, surviving the tricky conditions to cross the line in seventh.

His rookie team-mate, Arvid Lindblad, executed a dramatic last-lap overtake on Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi to secure the final point in 10th. With both Alpine drivers failing to score, Racing Bulls landed a significant blow in the standings, now 28 points ahead of the rivals.

Kimi 💥 bollard Antonelli’s off-track excursion at Turn 15 has cost him valuable time to leader Verstappen #F1 #BahrainGP | LAP 24/55 https://t.co/q4yU8yp55T

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 4, 2026

Fernando Alonso rolled back the years in the Aston Martin, showcasing his immense experience in changeable conditions. The veteran Spaniard held off a charging Lando Norris on the final lap to finish eighth, banking four valuable points for a team that has struggled for pace throughout the 2026 campaign.

2026 Bahrain Grand Prix (Malaysia) – race results