Max Verstappen Masters Sepang to Claim Thrilling Victory At Relocated Bahrain Grand Prix 2026

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Max Verstappen launched his 2026 campaign in commanding style, masterfully navigating a chaotic, rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix held uniquely at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit. Relocated due to regional conflicts, the wet-weather thriller was severely disrupted by a delayed start and early electronic gremlins before finally getting underway. Polesitter Verstappen slipped back during the opening skirmishes but systematically fought his way past the front-running Mercedes cars to reclaim control of the race. Late drama shook up the podium fight when George Russell was forced to retire due to a power unit failure. That misfortune promoted Andrea Kimi Antonelli to a brilliant second place, while a charging Lewis Hamilton capped off an eventful afternoon by securing a hard-fought third for Ferrari.

Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates on the podium flanked by second place Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy, left and third place Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Max Verstappen Bahrain Grand Prix 2026
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Bahrain GP 2026 Max Verstappen
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands sprays rose water on the podium after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli Bahrain Grand Prix 2026
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates his second place on the podium the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Bahrain Formula1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates on the podium flanked by second place Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy, left and third place Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Lewis Hamilton Bahrain Grand Prix 2026
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steps on the podium after arriving in third place at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Max Verstappen F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2026
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands crosses the finish line to win the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2026
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car ahead of Mercedes drivers George Russell of Britain during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Formula 1 Bahrain 2026
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Lewis Hamilton Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Max Verstappen Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: APAijaz Rahi
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Bahrain Formula One GP in Malaysia Auto Racing
Spectators gather on a hillside ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in Malaysia Auto Racing
Marshals clean the track prior to the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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