Sport e Salute

Verstappen Wins in Sepang After Rain Delay

05 Ottobre 2026

A cura di Andreas Grandi

Red Bull wins for the first time in 2026. Antonelli’s lead over Russell grows to 84 points

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday. He finished 2.307 seconds ahead of Italian driver Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari was third. George Russell of Mercedes was running third when his car stopped on the start/finish straight, behind the Safety Car, after 49 of the 55 laps.

It was Verstappen’s 72nd career win. It was his first win of 2026, Red Bull’s first too, and the first for Red Bull Ford Powertrains. His time was 1:47:14.808. Hamilton was 4.919 seconds behind.

Storms delayed the start, and the first start was stopped because some drivers, Hamilton among them, could not keep speed on the lap before the race. The track was wet and drying. Verstappen and both Mercedes started on intermediate tires (for wet roads). Hamilton and Leclerc, second and fourth on the grid, chose slick tires (for dry roads). Hamilton said Ferrari’s choice at the start was wrong, and that he thought the race was over.

Mercedes: Antonelli Second, Russell Out

Antonelli started third and Russell seventh. Both passed Verstappen, who started first, before Turn 1. Verstappen passed them again, before and after the first Safety Car, called when Valtteri Bottas spun his Cadillac. Then the two Mercedes fought for second place. Antonelli kept it, worth 18 points. Afterward he said it was the best result available and that Mercedes had suffered more than usual.

Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Russell was third when the second Safety Car came out. Mercedes said a suspected engine (power unit) failure stopped him, the third time this season he did not finish. Antonelli was going to gain three points on him. Instead, his lead grew by 18, from 66 to 84. Russell, 28, said he was almost sure of a podium, and that such failures had happened too many times this year. Asked if his title chances were over, he said yes, but added that nothing is impossible.

Verstappen and Red Bull

Verstappen said the start was confusing: he had no power and had to wait for it to return. The team made the right choice with intermediate tires, he added, and he was incredibly proud of everyone. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull’s other driver, was third in the final laps and finished fifth, 8.571 seconds behind.

Ferrari’s Two Cars

Hamilton lost 15 places on the first lap and was 17th, one minute behind the leaders. Ferrari suggested intermediate tires, but Hamilton chose to keep the soft ones. Late in the race, he passed Hadjar for third place. Leclerc, who had also dropped to the back, finished fourth, 7.258 seconds behind Verstappen. Hamilton said the podium brought mixed feelings, because Ferrari had a chance and did not use it fully.

Audi Without Points

Nico Hulkenberg started 15th and finished 11th, 17.404 seconds behind the winner and one place outside the points. Gabriel Bortoleto started 10th and finished 18th.

Other Drivers

Oscar Piastri was sixth for McLaren, 9.454 seconds behind the winner. His teammate Lando Norris was right behind him before the last restart. Then Norris lost control behind the Safety Car, went through the gravel and finished ninth, after starting fifth. Liam Lawson was seventh and Arvid Lindblad tenth for Racing Bulls; Lindblad started last. Fernando Alonso was eighth for Aston Martin. Alex Albon’s Williams stopped on track and caused the second Safety Car.

Sepang Returns

Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur, had not hosted a Grand Prix since 2017. In March, Formula 1 said the Bahrain Grand Prix would not take place in April, because of the situation in the Middle East. In July, Formula 1 and the FIA announced an agreement with the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia to hold the race at Sepang.

Next Up: Singapore

Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Round 17 is the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit, October 9 to 11. It is the first Sprint weekend in Singapore and the last of the season.