2026 Bahrain GP: Verstappen wins after delay

BBC Sport and Autosport reported Max Verstappen’s first 2026 win in the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after a 90-minute delay, with George Russell retiring late.

BBC Sport and Autosport reported that Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia for his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Autosport also reported that the Red Bull driver had led the weekend earlier by topping first practice and then taking pole position before winning at Sepang.

Autosport said the start was delayed by 90 minutes because of software problems on a wet track, and reported that George Russell retired late in the race. Russell arrived at the event second in the drivers' championship on 236 points, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli led on 320 and Verstappen was sixth on 188.

RaceFans noted that the result meant Verstappen avoided a first winless Formula 1 season since 2015 and gave Red Bull-Ford its first grand prix victory. Verstappen’s career record now stands at 72 wins from 242 starts.