Max Verstappen finally got back to winning ways at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, snapping his winless run this season with a dominant display at Sepang International Circuit. The Red Bull driver converted his pole position into a race victory despite a hectic start that saw the two Mercedes cars flash past him on the opening lap. But once Verstappen regained his composure, he quickly hunted down both Silver Arrows and reasserted control of the race from there on out.

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It's a sweet return to the top step for the four-time world champion, especially at a circuit where he last tasted victory way back in 2017. A late safety car could have thrown a spanner in the works, but Verstappen kept his head and cruised home without any real drama. For Verstappen personally, this win marks a proper turning point after struggling to find consistency earlier in the campaign.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli held onto second place for Mercedes and extended his championship lead in the process, though his teammate George Russell's day went completely pear-shaped. Russell was running comfortably in third when a technical issue forced him out on lap 50 under the safety car, dealing a serious blow to his title hopes. Lewis Hamilton had a rough start after opting for soft tyres, which initially looked like a dodgy call, but the British Ferrari driver fought his way through the field brilliantly to salvage third place.

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Charles Leclerc rounded out the top four for Ferrari, while Isack Hadjar claimed fifth in the other Red Bull. Oscar Piastri led McLaren home in sixth, ahead of Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls in seventh. Fernando Alonso nabbed his best result of the season in eighth, holding off Lando Norris who finished ninth. Alex Albon and Valtteri Bottas both failed to finish alongside Russell due to technical gremlins and a crash respectively, making it a rough day for mechanical issues across the grid.

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The race itself was a bit of a bonkers affair with significant delays at the start, but once it got underway, Verstappen's performance was clinical. After months without a win, the Dutchman showed exactly why he's a four-time champion when it matters, controlling the race completely and delivering the kind of masterclass that reminds everyone just how quick he truly is.

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