From Motorsport · Ben Vinel · · 3m
Max Verstappen Wins F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia Chaos
Max Verstappen wins F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia despite rain chaos as George Russell retires.
In brief
Max Verstappen wins F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia despite rain chaos as George Russell retires. Max Verstappen won his first 2026 season F1 race in Malaysia after George Russell retired due to technical issues. Originally reported by Motorsport.
Race report
Max Verstappen won a disorderly Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, clinching his first victory of the season, as George Russell’s title hopes dwindled further.
Software glitches delay race
After a 40-minute delay due to a downpour, the formation lap began with software glitches rendering throttle input ineffective for several cars, including front-row starters Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Nine cars on intermediate tyres
Only nine cars opted for intermediate tyres, including Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli, Russell and Isack Hadjar, while others like Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris went for slicks.
Verstappen outduels Mercedes
Verstappen outduelled both Mercedes drivers to triumph as Russell was struck by a technical issue, ending his title hopes.
Ferrari struggles with tyre strategy
Charles Leclerc pitted at the end of lap for a new front wing and moved to intermediates, while Hamilton and his compatriot lost further dozens of seconds trying to make their gamble work.
Verstappen passes Russell
Verstappen passed Russell for second place in Turn 4 on lap six, with the top three drivers within three seconds while fourth-placed Lawson was 10 seconds down.
Bottas causes safety car period
Bottas lost control in Turn 13 on lap nine and ended up benched in the gravel, causing a safety car period that was perfect timing for inter-shod runners to switch to slicks.
Verstappen leads after restart
Verstappen mastered the restart, as is typical from him, and triumphed after pulling away from Antonelli by over three seconds.
Russell retires due to technical issue
Russell stopped trackside with a technical issue and retired, while Norris was surprised by cars slowing down ahead and fell to 11th.
Final standings
Verstappen won with a time of 1:47'14.808, Antonelli finished second with a time of 1:47'17.115, and Hamilton third with 1:47'19.727.
Key drivers
Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), Antonelli (Mercedes), Hamilton (Ferrari), Leclerc (Ferrari), Hadjar (Red Bull Racing), Norris (McLaren), and Russell (Mercedes) were among the top drivers.
Race results
Verstappen won the race, Antonelli finished second, Hamilton third, Leclerc fourth, Hadjar fifth, Piastri sixth, Lawson seventh, Alonso eighth, and Lindblad ninth.
Event date
The race took place on October 4, 2026, at Sepang in Malaysia.
Chaos leads to Verstappen victory
Verstappen won his first 2026 season F1 race in Malaysia after George Russell retired due to technical issues.
In short
Max Verstappen won his first 2026 season F1 race in Malaysia after George Russell retired due to technical issues.
