Max Verstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

George Russell suffered a late technical retirement.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 50m1 min read

Photo via @autosport on X

What happened: Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed his first victory of the season at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He outdueled both Mercedes drivers following a 90-minute delay caused by dysfunctional software on a wet track.

Why it matters: The result damages George Russell's title hopes after a technical issue forced his late retirement. Verstappen's victory brings immediate momentum following his recent decision to stay with Red Bull.

By the numbers: Lewis Hamilton rallied from P18 on lap 10 to finish P3, while Kimi Antonelli secured P2 for Mercedes.

What to watch: Mercedes must evaluate the technical failure on Russell's car as the 2026 regular season continues.

Sources

@autosport 2026-10-04T10:45:09.131611+00:00

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