# Verstappen Wins Rain-Delayed Bahrain GP

> Verstappen secures 2026 season opener after chaotic rain delay at Sepang.
- Title: Verstappen Wins Rain-Delayed Bahrain GP · Road & Track
- Summary: Verstappen secures 2026 season opener after chaotic rain delay at Sepang. Verstappen wins 2026 Bahrain GP after 40-minute delay and 53-minute red flag…
- Keywords: max verstappen, bahrain gp, red bull, mercedes, ferrari, sepang circuit, rain delay, safety car, championship points, cars, sports, Verstappen
- Source: Road & Track — https://roadandtrack.com/news/a74011131/max-verstappen-takes-first-win-of-2026-season-in-chaotic-rain-delayed-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia
- Author: Victoria Beaver
- Published: 2026-10-04T11:01:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: max verstappen, bahrain gp, red bull, mercedes, ferrari, sepang circuit, f1, rain delay, safety car, championship points, cars, sports
## Race Delayed
The race was delayed 40 minutes before start and red-flagged for 53 minutes due to weather-related software glitches.
## Verstappen Starts Behind
Verstappen lost the lead on opening lap to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
## Intermediate Tires
Nine drivers skipped wets and moved to intermediate tires, including Red Bulls of Isack Hadjar and Verstappen.
## Bottas Spins
Valtteri Bottas's Cadillac spun out, allowing nine drivers to safely switch to slicks.
## Verstappen Regains Lead
Verstappen made it back to second by lap six and battled for the lead two laps later.
## Russell Retires
Russell retired with apparent PU failure, losing 18 points instead of three to Antonelli.
## Championship Impact
Antonelli leads Russell by 84 points, with Russell needing three wins to avoid being overtaken in final four races.
## Key takeaway

Verstappen wins 2026 Bahrain GP after 40-minute delay and 53-minute red flag, marking his 11th consecutive season win.