Verstappen converts pole into victory at Sepang, where the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix delivered his first win of the 2026 season.
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Max Verstappen ended his 2026 Formula 1 victory drought with a commanding win at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, staged at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The Red Bull Racing driver converted his first pole of the season into victory, finishing 2.307 seconds ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli, with Lewis Hamilton third for Ferrari.
The win was Verstappen’s first since the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and marked Red Bull’s return under the new 2026 regulations. It was also Ford’s first Formula 1 victory as a power unit partner since the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. Contested over 55 laps instead of 56 due to weather delays, it was round 16 of 23.
Why Bahrain GP Moved to Sepang
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated from Bahrain International Circuit to Sepang. Originally scheduled for April in Sakhir, the venue became untenable due to conflict in the Middle East.
After negotiations involving Formula 1, the FIA, and governments of Bahrain and Malaysia, Sepang was confirmed in July as host for early October. Bahrain retained promotional rights, ticket pricing, and financial proceeds while keeping its official title.
Verstappen Pole at Sepang as Hamilton Joins Him on Front Row
Formula 1 returned to the 5.543 km Sepang circuit for the first time since 2017. The event ran under Bahraini organization with imported marshals and Bahrain branding. Attendance reached 261,000 across three days.
Start Chaos: Storm and Software Glitch Cause 93-Minute Delay
Race day began with severe tropical weather. A downpour before the 15:00 local start delayed proceedings by 40 minutes. When the field left for formation laps behind the safety car on intermediate tyres, a major technical issue struck.
Several cars, including Verstappen’s Red Bull and Hamilton’s Ferrari, suffered power unit software failures restricting low-speed acceleration. Cars slowed or stopped, and the safety car became entangled mid-pack. Race control red-flagged the start.
Teams received emergency software updates. After the track dried, the FIA reinstated the original grid order. The race finally started 93 minutes late.
How Verstappen Won at Sepang
Verstappen lost the initial lead to Mercedes pair Antonelli and George Russell but stayed calm after an early safety car for opening-lap incidents. On the restart, his pace in mixed conditions was decisive.
By lap 17 he led Russell by over two seconds. At half distance, his advantage over Antonelli, now second, was nine seconds. Hamilton, starting from the front row, ran a longer first stint on soft tyres to manage degradation in humid heat.
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Verstappen pitted for used softs, mirrored by Antonelli, and kept a double-digit lead. A late safety car for a stricken Williams bunched the field. On the restart, Verstappen pulled clear and controlled the final lap to secure his 64th career win. He previously won the last Malaysian GP in 2017.
Bahrain GP 2026 Results: Top 10 at Sepang
Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing Ford
Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +2.307s
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – +6.412s
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +8.901s
Isack Hadjar – Red Bull Racing Ford – +12.445s
Oscar Piastri – McLaren Mercedes – +15.223s
Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls Ford – +18.110s
Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin Honda – +20.876s
Lando Norris – McLaren Mercedes – +23.450s
Arvid Lindblad – Racing Bulls Ford – +26.781s
DNF: George Russell – Mercedes – Power unit failure while running P3, a major blow to his title hopes.
Championship Impact After Sepang
Antonelli’s second place extends his lead in the drivers’ championship with seven rounds remaining. The Italian continues to dominate his Mercedes campaign.
Hamilton’s podium strengthens Ferrari’s push for second in constructors, with Leclerc fourth. McLaren scored with Piastri and Norris despite tricky conditions.
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For Red Bull, double points with Verstappen and Hadjar confirm the aerodynamic upgrade introduced in Azerbaijan has restored competitiveness on high-downforce tracks like Sepang.
Historic Significance for Red Bull and Ford
The victory ends months of questions around Red Bull under 2026 regulations, which increased electrical power and introduced sustainable fuels. Verstappen had criticized the RB22 earlier this season.
For Ford, returning as Red Bull’s power unit partner in 2026, the win ends a 23-year drought since Jordan-Ford won Brazil 2003. It validates Ford’s program developed at Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes.
What Next: Singapore GP Preview
Formula 1 heads to Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay next weekend for round 17. Remaining races include United States, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
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Verstappen’s win injects momentum into Red Bull and reminds rivals that adaptability and execution under pressure still decide championships. The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be remembered as the day the four-time champion rediscovered his winning formula. With confidence restored, Red Bull now targets further victories in the closing stages of 2026.
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