Max Verstappen Wins 2026 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton Complete the Podium

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen claimed victory at the 2026 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix following a fully dramatic race. Verstappen finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton for the round held at Sepang International Circuit, Selangor, Malaysia on Sunday, 4 October 2026.

The race start was delayed by more than one hour due to heavy downpour. Competition officially began from lap 3, with tight battles immediately breaking out at the front of the field.

Antonelli launched strongly when the restart went green. It did not take long for Verstappen to start opening gaps from his rivals, though George Russell held position ahead of the Red Bull driver during the early race phase.

Verstappen climbed to second position on lap 6. At the same time, the decision by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to switch to dry slick tyres backfired, dropping both drivers down the running order.

As the race reached lap 10, another Safety Car deployment once again disrupted team strategies. Most drivers entered the pit lane to fit dry slick tyres, while competitors who remained on intermediate rubber gained an advantage from the evolving track conditions.

The dynamic shifted again once the Safety Car returned to the pit lane on lap 13. Verstappen seized this momentum to overtake Antonelli at the second corner.

Russell also capitalised on the restart to pass his teammate and take second place. However, Verstappen had already found his optimal race rhythm out front by this point.

Entering the mid-race stage, Verstappen had built a lead of around eight seconds. Antonelli was forced to defend hard to hold his position while resisting constant pressure from Russell behind.

The top three order remained largely unchanged until the final 10 laps. Hamilton, who had fallen back earlier due to his failed tyre strategy, steadily closed the gap to Isack Hadjar running in fourth place.

Drama unfolded on lap 44 of the total 55 lap race. Alexander Albon suffered a car fault, triggering another Safety Car period on track.

This neutralisation gave all drivers the chance to complete pit stops without significant time loss. Strategy became the critical factor for position battles in the final race phase.

Shortly after racing resumed, Russell suffered misfortune: his car sustained mechanical damage on lap 50, just five laps before the finish line.

Russell's retirement reshuffled the front running order. Verstappen retained his lead, while Antonelli moved up to second position.

Hamilton capped off the dramatic event with an overtake on Hadjar on lap 53. This manoeuvre promoted the Mercedes driver to third place and secured him the final podium spot.

Verstappen eventually crossed the finish line as race winner. Antonelli secured second position, while Hamilton completed the podium after recovering from a low starting order earlier in the event.

The Sepang round served as a showcase for Verstappen's strategic endurance and consistency. Amidst rain, repeated Safety Car periods and constantly shifting track conditions, the Red Bull driver held the leading position unfalteringly all the way to the chequered flag.

2026 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix Results

1. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull Racing

2. Kimi Antonelli ITA Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

3. Lewis Hamilton GBR Scuderia Ferrari

4. Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari

5. Isack Hadjar FRA Red Bull Racing

6. Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren F1 Team

7. Liam Lawson NZE Racing Bulls

8. Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin F1 Team

9. Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team

10. Arvid Lindblad GBR Racing Bulls

11. Nico Hulkenberg GER Audi F1 Team

12. Lance Stroll ESP Aston Martin F1 Team

13. Franco Colapinto ARG Alpine F1 Team

14. Oliver Bearman GBR Haas F1 Team

15. Esteban Ocon FRA Haas F1 Team

16. Pierre Gasly FRA Alpine F1 Team

17. Carlos Sainz Jr ESP Williams Racing

18. Gabriel Bortoleto BRA Audi F1 Team

19. Sergio Perez MEX Cadillac F1 Team

DNF

Valtteri Bottas FIN Cadillac F1 Team

Alexander Albon THA Williams Racing

George Russell GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team