Red Bull’s Verstappen wins rain-delayed Bahrain GP F1 race in Sepang

Monday, 5 October 2026 02:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finish second and third

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has finally won his first race of the Formula One season amid chaotic scenes at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held in Malaysia an hour and 40 minutes late due to heavy rain.

Verstappen gained the lead yesterday after an early safety car and led home the Mercedes of championship leader Kimi Antonelli in second and the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton in third at the Sepang International Circuit.

But there was agony for George Russell, who had to retire from third place in the second Mercedes with five laps to go when his power unit appeared to fail under a late safety car.

Verstappen was the last driver to win in Sepang in 2017 before it was taken off the F1 calendar, and the Dutchman, who had also taken pole, gave Red ‌‌Bull a huge boost despite an early setback when he lost the lead before turn one.

Hamilton started on the front row on dry tyres and quickly slid down the field in the wet conditions.

But the seven-time world champion used all his experience to work his way back through the field for a brilliant podium place as the surface dried out.

His teammate Charles Leclerc was fourth with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in fifth.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was raced in Malaysia due to the US-Israel war on Iran, which has caused disruptions to the international sports calendar.

Formula One moves on to nearby Singapore for a night race and sprint this weekend.