Max Verstappen secured victory at the chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while Lewis Hamilton delivered a superb recovery drive to claim third.
Max Verstappen claimed his first victory of the 2026 season at a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia, overcoming a poor start and difficult weather conditions to control the race from the front, according to information published by BBC.
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton produced one of his finest drives of the year by fighting back from 18th place after an early tyre strategy miscue, ultimately finishing third on the podium behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli at the Sepang International Circuit.
Meanwhile, Mercedes suffered a mixed weekend as Antonelli extended his championship lead to 84 points over teammate George Russell, who was forced to retire from a comfortable third position due to a late power unit failure.
Max Verstappen overcomes early race struggles for victory
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen earned a 9.5 out of 10 rating for his weekend performance, featuring a dominant qualifying session for his first pole position of the season, followed by a composed recovery after losing ground at the start.
Mercedes young star Kimi Antonelli scored a 9 out of 10 after bouncing back from his Baku disappointment, executing an excellent start to lead early and bringing home a crucial second-place finish in challenging conditions.
George Russell also impressed with an 8 out of 10 rating, running inside the top three for most of the afternoon before his heartbreaking power unit failure halted his progress with just five laps remaining at Sepang.
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari stage remarkable recovery drives
Lewis Hamilton matched Verstappen with a 9.5 rating after Ferrari gambled on slick tyres at the start, dropping him down the field before a stellar fightback secured his podium finish ahead of Isack Hadjar.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc earned an 8.5 rating after suffering the same early tyre nightmare from the front row, charging through the pack to rescue fourth place and salvage vital points for the Italian team.
Isack Hadjar also claimed an 8.5 rating following a strong third-fastest qualifying effort, an engine grid penalty, and an intense race battle with Hamilton and Leclerc.
Midfield battles and standout performances in Sepang
Oscar Piastri secured a 7.5 rating for McLaren by making the correct early call to switch to intermediate tyres from the pit lane, recovering to sixth place and beating teammate Lando Norris.
Fernando Alonso delivered an 8 out of 10 for Aston Martin by reaching Q2 on merit and converting 12th on the grid into an excellent eighth-place finish, marking the team's best result in some time.
Lando Norris endured a frustrating outing, receiving a 5.5 rating after a late mistake behind the safety car dropped him down to ninth position in the final stages of the grand prix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, securing his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season after navigating a chaotic and rain-affected race at Sepang.
Where did Lewis Hamilton finish after starting on slick tyres?
Lewis Hamilton finished in third place, completing a superb recovery drive after an early Ferrari strategy decision to start on slick tyres dropped him from the front row all the way down to 18th.
Why did George Russell retire from the race?
George Russell retired from the grand prix while running in third position due to a late power unit failure with just five laps remaining in the race.
