Bahrain GP 2026: Max Verstappen Wins at Sepang Amid Weather Chaos

Max Verstappen secured a pivotal victory at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix on 4 October 2026, marking the first win of the season for both the driver and Red Bull Racing. Despite the event's name, the race was held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, returning to the venue for the first time since 2017 [3].

Rain and Technical Disruptions at Sepang

The event was defined by significant instability before the green flag. A 90-minute delay occurred due to a combination of heavy rainfall and unexpected technical glitches. These issues caused several cars to struggle and move slowly during their formation laps while following the safety car on a wet track [1].

The starting grid featured a rare pairing, with Verstappen on pole and Lewis Hamilton alongside him. This specific front-row configuration had not been seen since the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale [3].

Race Results and Championship Shift

Verstappen maintained a dominant lead to take the win, but the most significant championship movement occurred within the Mercedes garage. Kimi Antonelli finished in second place, while his teammate George Russell suffered a power unit failure just five laps before the finish, resulting in a DNF [1].

This result drastically altered the title race, extending Antonelli's lead over Russell to 84 points. With only six or seven races remaining in the 2026 season, this gap puts Antonelli in a commanding position [1].

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton produced a remarkable recovery. After starting with the wrong tyres for the wet conditions and falling back, he fought through the field to pass Isack Hadjar for third place with only three laps remaining [1].

Viewing and Schedule Details

The Bahrain GP 2026 was the 16th round of the season. For viewers in the United States, the event was streamed for free on Apple TV without a subscription [2]. The main race began at 3 a.m. ET on 4 October [2].

Related reading: Bahrain GP 2026: Verstappen Wins at Sepang, How to Watch in India & Ticket Info