Max Verstappen took his and Red Bull's first victory of the season in a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix staged in Malaysia, while George Russell's late retirement left his title challenge in ruins.
Key facts
- Max Verstappen won the rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix, held at Malaysia's Sepang circuit after Bahrain's meeting was cancelled.
- It was the first win of the season for Verstappen and Red Bull.
- Kimi Antonelli finished second, with Lewis Hamilton third for Ferrari after a comeback from as low as 17th.
- George Russell retired with five laps to go, shattering his title hopes.
- Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Isack Hadjar fifth.
Max Verstappen won a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix, staged in Malaysia, with a dominant drive for Red Bull to claim his and the team’s first win of the season. The Dutchman beat the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli into second place at the Sepang circuit, according to the Guardian.
The race, held in place of a cancelled meeting in Bahrain, was Malaysia’s first grand prix in nine years. The Guardian described the much-loved circuit as a grand stage to showcase Verstappen’s dominant performance after what had been an extraordinarily dramatic and chaotic afternoon.
The afternoon brought bitter disappointment for George Russell, whose retirement with five laps to go left the British driver’s title hopes shattered. The result leaves his Mercedes teammate Antonelli within touching distance of the championship.
Lewis Hamilton finished third for Ferrari after a remarkable comeback from a torrid afternoon. The Guardian reported that Hamilton started on slick tyres in the wet, dropping as far back as 17th, before reviving with a superb drive that included a late pass on Isack Hadjar, who finished fifth.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc came home fourth after a race marked by farcical scenes before it had even got underway. According to the Guardian, this season’s engine formula was found sorely wanting the first time it was tested in wet conditions, with power units struggling in the weather.
The long rain delay and chaotic conditions defined the race, but for Verstappen the victory was described as surely as sweet as any he may have tasted.
Why it matters
The result reshapes the title picture, moving Kimi Antonelli within touching distance of the championship while ending George Russell's realistic challenge. It also exposed serious questions about this season's new engine formula, which the Guardian says was found wanting in its first wet-weather test.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia?
The race was staged at Malaysia's Sepang circuit to stand in for the cancelled meeting in Bahrain. It was the first grand prix Malaysia had hosted in nine years.
Who finished on the podium?
Max Verstappen won ahead of Kimi Antonelli in second and Lewis Hamilton third, the latter completing a comeback from as far back as 17th.
What happened to George Russell?
Russell was forced to retire with five laps to go, leaving his title hopes shattered and his teammate Antonelli within touching distance of the championship.