Red Bull's Verstappen wins Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Max Verstappen claimed his first victory of the 2026 Formula One season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, steering Red Bull to success amid extraordinary scenes at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The race, relocated from the Gulf due to disruption linked to the US-led war with Iran, was heavily disrupted by torrential rain and software malfunctions before delivering a dramatic conclusion that reshaped the drivers' championship.

The afternoon began in farcical circumstances when a massive tropical thunderstorm soaked the circuit just before the scheduled start time, forcing a delay. When the field finally ventured out behind the safety car on intermediate tyres, an unexpected technical glitch struck. Complex power unit software, designed to prevent traction control under low revs and wet conditions, caused widespread power losses. Drivers including Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and several Ferrari-powered cars crawled or ground to a halt, scattering the formation out of order and prompting race control to throw a red flag and suspend the start.

Media additions

Max Verstappen wins rain-delayed Bahrain GP as Kimi Antonelli takes firm grip on title race | The National

Verstappen ‘incredibly proud’ after historic Bahrain GP win

The subsequent delay stretched past 90 minutes while the FIA issued a software patch to reboot the cars and restore them to their original grid slots. When the lights eventually went out for a standing start, half the grid gambled on slick tyres while others stuck to intermediates. The gamble immediately backfired. Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and McLaren's drivers tumbled down the order as the track remained too wet.

Pole-sitter Verstappen experienced a slow getaway on intermediates, allowing Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell to sweep past him. However, a safety car deployed on lap nine after Valtteri Bottas beached his Cadillac in the gravel allowed the field to switch to slick tyres. Verstappen surged past Antonelli upon the restart and controlled proceedings from the front, eventually cruising home to claim his 72nd career victory.

Behind the dominant Dutchman, the championship battle took a brutal twist. George Russell was running comfortably in third place with five laps remaining when a suspected power unit failure forced him to pull off the track. The retirement shattered his fading title ambitions. You’ve almost got to laugh… it’s just so many times this season it’s happened, George Russell, Mercedes driver, via The Sun reflected despondently after climbing from his cockpit. His DNF allowed championship leader Antonelli to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Hamilton used all his experience to orchestrate a stunning recovery. Refusing to pit immediately for intermediates, he stayed out on his starting soft tyres and sliced through the midfield as the track dried. A late virtual and full safety car bunched the pack, enabling Hamilton to execute a decisive overtake on Red Bull's Isack Hadjar for the final podium spot. According to Dive Bomb reporting, Hamilton radioed we are back in the game earlier in his charge.

Charles Leclerc followed his teammate home in fourth after his own recovery drive, with Isack Hadjar fifth, Oscar Piastri sixth, and Liam Lawson seventh. Fernando Alonso secured a season-best eighth for Aston Martin, ahead of Lando Norris and rookie Arvid Lindblad, who rounded out the points-paying positions.

Attention now turns rapidly to the next round of the championship. Formula One heads immediately to nearby Singapore for a night race and sprint next weekend.