11:17
With two laps to go, Hadjar has been relegated to fifth place after Leclerc passed him for fourth
Start of the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as it happened
Follow all the action from the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
KEY MOMENTS
- Max Verstappen takes victory in a chaotic Bahrain GP in Malaysia
- George Russell is out after a technical issue on lap 50
- Heavily-delayed Bahrain GP contested over 55 laps
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which marks the 16th round of the campaign.
This weekend marks F1's first visit to the Sepang International Circuit since the last Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017.
However, this will not be officially counted as a Malaysian Grand Prix, as the event is being run and paid for by the Bahrain Grand Prix. As such, the event is being called the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Despite the tropical setting, the Bahrain organisers have flown in around 500 marshals from the country, while much of the branding around the circuit reflects that of the Sakhir track.
The event has been moved to Malaysia this year due to the ongoing war in Iran. The Bahrain Grand Prix had originally been due to run in April back-to-back with Saudi Arabia.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli comes into the Bahrain Grand Prix leading the championship still, though a fifth-place finish after a crash in qualifying last time out at Baku has seen his advantage reduced to 66 points by Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
But Mercedes has endured a tricky weekend so far in Malaysia, despite bringing its long-awaited upgrade package.
The Malaysian Grand Prix has been declared a heat hazard, while there is a risk of thundery showers hitting the Sepang track for today's 56-lap race.
Max Verstappen claimed his and Red Bull's first pole position of the season, which he is looking to convert into his first victory since last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion has his great F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton alongside him on the front row for Ferrari.
2026 Bahrain Grand Prix schedule
Race start - 8am UK time
13:44
FIA explain formation lap technical problems
An investigation will take place to determine the reason behind the technical problems on the formation lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
FIA explains bizarre technical problems behind Bahrain GP start delay
Max Verstappen
© XPB Images
13:26
George Russell reacts to his Bahrain GP DNF
A Power Unit issue ended George Russell's chances of a podium at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia
George Russell on bad luck as F1 title hopes fade: "You've got to laugh"
George Russell
© XPB Images
13:09
When is the next F1 weekend?
The Singapore GP will follow the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, but when is it?
When is the next F1 race after the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
12:43
Updated F1 Championship standings
Here are the F1 Championship standings after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia
New F1 championship standings after the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
The podium at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
12:41
Mercedes reveal the cause of George Russell's DNF
Toto Wolff has confirmed why George Russell stopped during the Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Toto Wolff "massively annoyed" as he reveals cause of George Russell DNF
Toto Wolff
© XPB Images
11:33
Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Full Report
Red Bull and Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in the chaotic Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Max Verstappen wins bonkers Bahrain GP in Malaysia, George Russell’s F1 title hopes up in smoke
Max Verstappen celebrates his first victory of the season
11:31
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia Results
Here are the full results from the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Full race results
Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli
© XPB Images
11:20
Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Max Verstappen returned to winning ways as he claimed his first victory of the 2026 F1 season with a dominant showing at the Sepang International Circuit!
Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton completed the podium in second and third place
11:18
Last Lap Time
Max Verstappen holds over a second lead as he begins the last lap of the race!
11:15
Lewis Hamilton has moved into third place, and has relegated Hadjar to fourth
11:15
Lewis Hamilton is right behind Isack Hadjar and will challenge for the podium
11:14
Lando Norris is back in the points after moving up into tenth place
11:14
Max Verstappen has gone at the Safety Car restart and has a decent margin over Antonelli
11:13
Safety Car Ending
At the end of Lap 51, the Safety Car will end, and racing will get back underway for four laps!
11:12
So, Russell is out of the race, and Norris is now out of the top ten and in 11th place
11:09
Drama on Lap 50
George Russell is out of the Grand Prix, and Lando Norris ran off into the gravel at Turn 1
11:06
Here are the top ten during the Safety Car period on Lap 49:
- Max Verstappen
- Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Isack Hadjar
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Oscar Piastri
- Lando Norris
- Liam Lawson
- Fernando Alonso
11:01
With the Safety Car, we will now have a sprint to the chequered flag, with Verstappen leading Antonelli, Russell, Hadjar, and Hamilton
11:00
The FIA has confirmed why the VSC was upgraded to a full Safety Car:
"Albon’s car is stuck in gear which means marshals are not able to push it behind the barriers, hence the length of the neutralisation and need for a safety car"
10:59
Safety Car Deployed
The Safety Car has now been deployed
10:58
Red Bull also called Hadjar into the pits, and he returned to the track in fourth place, just ahead of Piastri and Hamilton
10:57
Now the Mercedes drivers have both pitted, with Antonelli back out in second and Russel in third
10:56
At the front, Antonelli and Russell did not pit, and the Mercedes drivers are now first and third after Verstappen pitted
10:55
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc followed Verstappen's lead, and both pitted