Verstappen Ends Winless Run with Victory in Chaotic Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Posted : 05 October 2026

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen finally opened his 2026 victory account with a commanding performance in a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix held at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit. The Red Bull driver converted pole position into his 72nd career win after a race disrupted by heavy rain, changing tyre conditions and multiple safety-car interventions.

The victory came nine years after Verstappen last won a Formula 1 race in Malaysia. He finished 2.307 seconds ahead of Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton completed the podium after producing one of the race’s strongest recoveries.

Verstappen initially lost the lead at Turn 1 as Antonelli and Mercedes teammate George Russell moved ahead. However, the race changed dramatically when Valtteri Bottas went off at Turn 1 and triggered a Safety Car. The interruption gave teams an opportunity to switch from intermediate tyres to slicks, with Verstappen making the strategy work in his favour.

Once racing resumed, Verstappen quickly regained first place from Antonelli and established control at the front. He then managed the changing conditions and a late Virtual Safety Car followed by a full Safety Car to secure Red Bull’s first victory of the season.

Hamilton endured a much more difficult afternoon. Ferrari’s decision to start him on slick tyres in the wet conditions left him struggling for grip, causing him to fall deep into the field. At one point, the seven-time world champion was around a minute behind the leaders, but he gradually fought his way back into contention.

The Ferrari driver eventually passed Isack Hadjar during the closing stages to secure third place. Charles Leclerc also recovered strongly after dropping to the back early in the race, finishing fourth, while Hadjar took fifth ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson.

Fernando Alonso recorded a season-best eighth-place finish for Aston Martin, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad. Meanwhile, George Russell suffered a major setback in his championship campaign when his Mercedes stopped with a suspected power-unit failure during the closing stages.

Russell’s retirement helped Antonelli extend his championship advantage to 84 points, further strengthening the Mercedes driver’s position at the top of the standings. Verstappen, meanwhile, described the victory as particularly special after a difficult start to the season and praised Red Bull for making the correct tyre decisions throughout the race.

The Sepang race also marked a significant milestone for Red Bull’s new powertrain project. Verstappen’s victory was the first for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, adding further significance to his breakthrough triumph in Malaysia.

Verstappen Ends Winless Run with Victory in Chaotic Bahrain GP in Malaysia

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics