Verstappen claims first 2026 win in rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix
The twice-delayed race at Sepang saw Kimi Antonelli finish second and Lewis Hamilton recover from 18th to take third.
Max Verstappen won the rain-affected Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, claiming his first victory of the 2026 season after losing the lead from pole and fighting back. Sky Sports reported the race marked Formula 1’s return to the Malaysian circuit after nine years.
The start was delayed twice and the 55-lap race was interrupted by two Safety Cars. Verstappen had built a lead of more than 10 seconds over Kimi Antonelli before the second Safety Car was deployed late in the race. Antonelli finished second.
Lewis Hamilton took third after dropping to 18th when Ferrari’s decision to start on slick tyres left him struggling on the slippery track. The first Safety Car brought the pack back together, and Hamilton later passed Isack Hadjar.
George Russell, who had been running third behind Mercedes team-mate Antonelli, retired late with a suspected power-unit problem. Charles Leclerc passed Hadjar in the closing laps, leaving the second Red Bull fifth; Oscar Piastri finished sixth for McLaren.
