Verstappen Wins Rain‑Delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Max Verstappen took his first victory of the 2026 season after a chaotic, rain‑hit Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang was delayed for more than 90 minutes. The Dutchman, who had started from pole, recovered from an early setback to win for Red Bull’s own power unit, the first time the team has done so since 2017. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished second for Mercedes, extending his 84‑point lead over teammate George Russell, who retired with a suspected power‑unit issue five laps from the finish. Lewis Hamilton completed the podium in third for Ferrari, after a tyre gamble that dropped him to 18th at the start. The race featured two safety‑car periods, a split‑tyre start, and a dramatic final‑lap shootout for the podium. Why It Matters: The win marks Red Bull’s first 2026 power‑unit victory and gives Verstappen momentum in a season that has yet to see a wet race, while Antonelli’s second place consolidates his championship lead.