F1 – Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen claimed a stunning pole-to-flag victory yesterday in a rain-delayed and drama-filled Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, held in front of a massive crowd at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
The Red Bull Racing superstar powered to the chequered flag to secure his first win of the F1 season, the 72nd of his career, and the third in the kingdom’s race – albeit at a different venue.
It was also the maiden triumph for Red Bull Racing with their own power unit.
Verstappen staved off a late challenge by Mercedes’s world championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton brilliantly fought back after dropping all the way to the rear of the field early on for the final podium step.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, presented the Bahrain Grand Prix winner’s trophy to Verstappen during the podium ceremonies.
The Dutchman was also given the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Medal by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Meanwhile, the Bahrain Grand Prix trophy for winning constructors was awarded by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Anwar Ibrahim.
The trophy for second place was handed over to Antonelli by Bahrain Motor Federation president and FIA vice-president for sport for Mena Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, along with Motorsports Association of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.
Gulf Air Group chairman Khalid Taqi presented the trophy for third place to Hamilton.
“It’s a really nice one, after the year that we’ve had and the progression that we’ve made,” said Verstappen, who had previously climbed the podium seven other times this season – including two runner-up finishes in a row in Madrid and Baku – leading up to his triumph in the Bahrain race at Malaysia’s iconic motor racing track.
“I’m incredibly proud of everyone, and it’s just super nice to win here.”
“It was very hectic with a lot of different things in the start. No power, so you have to wait for the power to kick in. But then we made the right call with the intermediate [tyres], and after that, step by step, we moved our way forward.”
“From there onwards, we could do our own race until the end again.”
Verstappen held his nerve late on to keep a battling Antonelli from stealing away the victory after leading for much of the race, which was reduced to 55 laps.
Following a suspension of the race’s start which lasted about an hour-and-a-half due to heavy rain, lightning, and a drenched track, things finally got underway with Verstappen immediately losing the lead at the start as Antonelli and Mercedes teammate George Russell came charging in the run down to turn one.
But Verstappen regained the advantage on lap 13 following the first of two safety car periods when Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas spun out onto the gravel on lap nine.
He then took advantage of the clean air ahead and a gradually drying circuit to stretch the gap even further, which later became double digits.
Heading into the final 10 laps, Williams’s Alexander Albon was forced to retire, bringing in a virtual safety car. Verstappen pitted, handing the lead to Antonelli, with Russell right behind.
But the two Mercedes cars boxed as well soon after, putting Verstappen back in front.
Following the race’s second safety car period, Russell stopped on track with five laps remaining, bringing the field back together for a tight finish.
Despite pressure from Antonelli’s chase, Verstappen made no mistake until the end and won in a time of one hour 47 minutes and 14.808 seconds – 2.307 seconds ahead of Antonelli.
Hamilton also put in a sensational drive after going behind the leader by more than a minute in the early stages.
The seven-time world champion steadily made his way up the order and, with two laps to go, he passed Red Bull Racing’s Isack Hadjar to move into the top three.
Hamilton crossed the line 4.919s from Verstappen.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc took fourth place 7.258s back, while Hadjar had to settle for fifth 8.571s adrift.
In sixth through 10th, respectively, to secure the scoring positions were McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (+9.454s), Racing Bulls’s Liam Lawson (+12.753s), Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (+13.372s), McLaren’s Lando Norris (+13.993s), and Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad (+15.928s).
Rounding out the finishers were Nico Hulkenberg of Audi, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, Franco Colapinto of Alpine, Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon of Haas, Pierre Gasly of Alpine, Carlos Sainz of Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi and Sergio Perez of Cadillac.
Coming away from Malaysia with DNFs were Russell, Albon, and Bottas.
The F1 circus now heads to Singapore for the third grand prix of an exciting triple-header that began at the Azerbaijan capital.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))