Max Verstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang circuit

Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit on Sunday (4), securing his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season in an event heavily disrupted by weather and electronic failures. The Red Bull Racing driver took the 72nd win of his career and ended a personal drought of 15 races without standing atop the podium.

The result delivered the first triumph for the Ford Red Bull Powertrains partnership, ending a 23-year dry spell for Ford-badged engines in the category. Verstappen took the checkered flag ahead of Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, praising his squad after the podium celebration: “I am very proud of everyone.”

Read also: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen captures Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang

Software failure and heavy rain delay start in Sepang

The start of the Grand Prix experienced an interruption of more than 1 hour and 30 minutes following a severe tropical downpour over the Malaysian track and a widespread electronic failure during the formation lap. Multiple cars suddenly lost throttle response and halted along the circuit when system software shut down several power units simultaneously, forcing race control to halt the procedure before lights out. Automotive journalist and analyst Rodrigo França highlighted Verstappen’s faultless driving while noting that the technical failure and the prolonged stoppage raise a serious warning for Formula 1 regarding the operational complexity of current engines.

Verstappen questioned the reliability profile of the modern hybrid units after stepping out of the car in the paddock. “If we were with a V8 engine, this would not happen,” Verstappen said when addressing the electronic glitch, adding: “It was terrible, it happened because of many things, but we made the right choice with intermediate tires.”

Antonelli extends championship lead to 84 points

Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished in second place and expanded his lead in the World Drivers’ Championship to 84 points over his teammate George Russell. The Italian driver reached 320 points in the standings, capitalizing on a mechanical retirement for Russell, whose Mercedes suffered an engine failure midway through the afternoon. Antonelli briefly led the Grand Prix before Verstappen reclaimed the front position in drying track conditions.

Lewis Hamilton recovered to secure the final podium position in third place for Ferrari despite an initial strategic gamble that sent him toward the back of the field. The British driver started the race on slick soft tires on a damp track surface while his rivals opted for intermediate compounds, falling roughly one minute behind the leaders before a safety car period allowed him to regain ground and overtake midfield competitors.

See also: The F1 record-breaker: how Alonso dethroned Schumacher and matched Fittipaldi’s feat

Sepang classification and championship numbers

• 1st place: Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Ford) — 72nd career Grand Prix victory
• 2nd place: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — championship leader with 320 points
• 3rd place: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — podium finisher after starting on soft tires
• 18th place: Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) — penalized 10 seconds after turn 2 contact
• George Russell (Mercedes) — retired due to an engine failure, 84 points behind the lead

Gabriel Bortoleto finishes 18th following collision with Carlos Sainz

Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto crossed the finish line in 18th position after an incident-packed afternoon in Sepang. The Brazilian driver clashed with Carlos Sainz of Williams at the second turn, which damaged both cars and prompted stewards to issue a 10-second time penalty against Bortoleto, who also dealt with recurring mechanical issues on his car throughout the final laps.

“I want to apologize and admit my mistake with Carlos (Sainz). He opened up and I saw an opportunity to pass, but I ended up not realizing that it was a bit wet, that the inside of turn 2 was not 100% dry. I locked up and hit him there, which ruined my race and his,” Bortoleto stated after the checkered flag.

Relocation from the Middle East and upcoming Singapore round

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix took place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia rather than its traditional venue because of armed conflict and geopolitical instability across the Middle East. The race marked the first time Formula 1 competed on the Sepang track since the 2017 season.

The FIA has not yet released the complete technical investigation specifying which programming modules triggered the widespread engine shutdowns on the grid. The Formula 1 season resumes on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit.