Verstappen wins the rain-hit Bahrain GP at Sepang as Russell retires late

[GOAT25]

Max Verstappen has won round 16 of the 2026 season, the Bahrain Grand Prix held this year at Sepang in Malaysia, according to Formula1.com. It is his first win since the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi, which shows how difficult this season has been for him. Heavy rain delayed the start, and the formation lap was suspended because several drivers struggled to keep their cars moving on the slippery track. When the race did get going, it was chaotic from start to finish

From pole, Verstappen dropped behind the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell on the run to Turn 1, with all three on intermediate tyres. A Safety Car after Valtteri Bottas spun out let the intermediate runners switch to slicks, and Verstappen "soon settled into a rhythm and managed to pick off the Silver Arrows." He then pulled clear while Antonelli and Russell fought over second. Late on, Russell "dramatically ground to a halt on the start/finish straight" behind the final Safety Car

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had started on slick tyres, which looked like a disaster early on, but both drove what Formula1.com called "inspired comeback drives" to finish third and fourth. Lando Norris lost control behind the Safety Car, went through the gravel and finished ninth. According to the RaceFans results, the top ten was Verstappen, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Hadjar, Piastri, Lawson, Alonso, Norris and Lindblad

The championship picture shifts again. Antonelli leads on 320 points, ahead of Russell on 236, Hamilton on 214, Leclerc on 191 and Norris and Verstappen on 188 each, with 16 of 23 rounds completed. For a 20 year old in only his second full season, Antonelli leading the championship by such a margin is remarkable. Verstappen's win will not change the title fight much, but it is a reminder of what he can do when conditions are tricky

Was this the race of the season so far? And can anyone catch Antonelli now?

Verstappen wins Bahrain GP in Malaysia as Russell retireswww.formula1.com