F1: Max Verstappen Wins Chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Formula 1 produced one of the most extraordinary races of the 2026 season as Max Verstappen claimed victory in a rain-hit and highly chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix held at Sepang in Malaysia. The Red Bull driver secured his first win of the season and Red Bull Ford Powertrains' first victory of the year, while Kimi Antonelli finished second and Lewis Hamilton completed the podium after a remarkable recovery drive.

The race itself was delayed by roughly 90 minutes after heavy tropical rain hit the Sepang circuit. The unusual start procedure was then complicated by a series of technical and software problems that left several cars unable to maintain normal speed during the formation laps.

The FIA said the issue was caused by a combination of wet-weather conditions, low speeds, mandated energy-management settings and the characteristics of the circuit. A software update removing the relevant energy-limit restriction was subsequently issued to help teams resolve the problem.

Because the situation was unprecedented, officials also had to determine how the cars should be arranged for the eventual start. Existing regulations did not fully cover the circumstances, leading to a lengthy discussion before the field was eventually restored to its original starting order.

Mercedes Takes Early Control

Once the race finally got under way, pole-sitter Max Verstappen and front-row starter Lewis Hamilton immediately lost ground. Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, both running intermediate tyres, swept past their rivals to take first and second.

Verstappen quickly settled into the race and regained second place from Russell. The first major strategic turning point came on Lap 9, when Valtteri Bottas spun at Turn 13 and brought out the Safety Car.

The leading drivers used the neutralization to switch from intermediates to slick tyres. Verstappen made the most of the opportunity and, after the restart, overtook Antonelli at Turn 4 to take the lead. Russell also moved ahead of his Mercedes team-mate on the exit.

From that point onward, Verstappen established control. With the right tyre strategy and strong pace, the Red Bull driver gradually pulled away from the field and began to build a race of his own.

Antonelli eventually re-established himself as Mercedes' leading driver, overtaking Russell at Turn 4 on Lap 21. For a long period, the Italian appeared set to finish second behind Verstappen.

Russell's Championship Hopes Take a Major Hit

Mercedes appeared on course for a double podium until disaster struck George Russell with just five laps remaining.

Russell suffered an apparent power-unit failure and was forced to pull off the circuit before Turn 1, bringing his race to an abrupt end. The retirement promoted Antonelli to second and significantly strengthened the Italian's position in the championship.

With Russell scoring no points and Antonelli taking 18, the Mercedes driver extended his championship advantage over his team-mate to 84 points.

What had looked like a strong Mercedes double podium therefore turned into a major setback for Russell in the title fight.

Hamilton's Stunning Recovery From the Back

Lewis Hamilton produced one of the standout drives of the race.

The Ferrari driver made a major strategic gamble at the start by choosing slick tyres despite the track remaining heavily wet. The decision quickly backfired as drivers on intermediates swept past him.

Hamilton dropped as low as 17th and appeared to have thrown away his podium hopes before the race had properly settled. Instead, he remained committed to his strategy and began clawing his way back through the field as conditions improved.

By around Lap 24, Hamilton had caught Isack Hadjar's Red Bull in fourth. The pair later made their pit stops together, with Hadjar remaining on soft tyres while Hamilton switched to mediums.

Hamilton stayed close to the Red Bull for lap after lap but could not find a decisive opportunity to pass. The late Safety Car, however, changed everything.

Hamilton switched to fresh soft tyres and, one lap after the restart, overtook Hadjar into Turn 1 to claim the final podium position.

Going from the back of the field to third made Hamilton's result one of the most impressive recoveries of the weekend.

Verstappen Remains Unchallenged to the Finish

A second Safety Car period late in the race, triggered by the stranded Williams of Alexander Albon, brought the field together once again. The leading drivers took the opportunity to switch to fresh tyres for the final run to the chequered flag.

But even the late neutralization could not disrupt Verstappen's control of the race. The Red Bull driver handled the restart perfectly and kept Antonelli at arm's length to secure victory after 55 laps.

Verstappen finished 2.307 seconds ahead of Antonelli, with Hamilton 4.919 seconds behind the winner. Charles Leclerc took fourth, followed by Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Arvid Lindblad.

Norris Also Caught Up in the Late Drama

George Russell's retirement created another moment of chaos involving McLaren. Lando Norris appeared to become distracted by Russell's stranded Mercedes and had to run onto the gravel at Turn 1 to avoid making contact with team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Norris managed to recover to ninth by the finish, while Fernando Alonso secured eighth for Aston Martin, scoring points for only the third time this season.

Piastri finished sixth after a difficult weekend for McLaren, while Charles Leclerc recovered to fourth and gave Ferrari a strong double-points result alongside Hamilton.

Verstappen Finally Breaks Through

The Sepang race represented a major breakthrough for Verstappen and Red Bull. In a race shaped by heavy rain, rapidly changing track conditions, tyre gambles, technical problems and multiple Safety Car interventions, the Dutchman maintained his composure and delivered his first victory of the 2026 season.

The result also marked the first Formula 1 win for Red Bull Ford Powertrains in the new era.

Antonelli's runner-up finish was equally significant for the championship. With Russell retiring, the Mercedes youngster strengthened his position at the top of the standings and opened an 84-point advantage over his team-mate.

Hamilton, meanwhile, transformed what initially looked like a disastrous race into a podium finish.

The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will therefore be remembered as one of the most unpredictable races of the 2026 season — not only because of the torrential rain, but also because of the unprecedented pre-race technical problems, strategic tyre battles and drama that continued almost all the way to the chequered flag.