The Red Bull driver converted pole position into victory despite losing the lead at the start, recovering to finish 2.307 seconds ahead of Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton completed the podium after an impressive recovery drive.
Heavy rain delays the start
The race was disrupted by heavy rainfall, forcing officials to delay the start as drivers faced treacherous track conditions.
The start procedure was suspended before the field eventually got under way after a delay of more than 90 minutes. Drivers faced a difficult decision over tyre strategy, with some opting for intermediate tyres while others gambled on slick compounds.
Verstappen started from pole but made a slow getaway, allowing Antonelli and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell to move ahead into the opening corner.
Verstappen fights back after safety car
Verstappen began his recovery early, passing Russell before closing in on Antonelli.
The turning point came on lap nine when Valtteri Bottas spun into the gravel, bringing out the safety car. The neutralisation gave drivers an opportunity to change tyres as the circuit dried.
After racing resumed, Verstappen overtook Antonelli to reclaim the lead and began building a gap at the front. The Dutchman maintained his advantage through further pit stops and a late safety-car period to secure his first win of the campaign.
The victory also marked Red Bull’s first win of the 2026 season and the maiden triumph for Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
Hamilton completes remarkable comeback
Hamilton produced one of the afternoon’s standout performances after struggling in the opening stages.
The seven-time world champion started on dry tyres despite the wet conditions and dropped down the order before working his way back through the field as the track dried.
He eventually finished third for Ferrari, behind Verstappen and Antonelli, while team-mate Charles Leclerc recovered to fourth. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar finished fifth.
Russell suffers late retirement
Mercedes endured contrasting fortunes as Russell retired with five laps remaining after an apparent power-unit problem.
Russell had been running among the leading drivers and was fighting for a podium position before his car stopped on the start-finish straight.
His retirement strengthened Antonelli’s position in the championship battle, with the Italian collecting 18 points for second place.
Bahrain Grand Prix results
• Red Bull: Max Verstappen — 1st
• Mercedes: Kimi Antonelli — 2nd
• Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton — 3rd
• Ferrari: Charles Leclerc — 4th
• Red Bull: Isack Hadjar — 5th
• McLaren: Oscar Piastri — 6th
• Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson — 7th
• Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso — 8th
• McLaren: Lando Norris — 9th
• Racing Bulls: Arvid Lindblad — 10th.
Formula 1 heads to Singapore
The championship now moves to Singapore for the next round, which includes a sprint event and a night race scheduled for the following weekend.
For Verstappen and Red Bull, the Sepang victory provides a major boost after a difficult start to the season. Antonelli, meanwhile, leaves Malaysia with valuable championship points, while Hamilton’s podium offers Ferrari encouragement after a challenging opening to the race.