Verstappen wins rain‑delayed Bahrain Grand Prix

Max Verstappen secured his first victory of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The race was marked by chaotic conditions, with the start delayed by more than 90 minutes due to heavy rain. Verstappen, who started from pole position, experienced an early setback when he lost the lead before the first turn but ultimately recovered to claim the win.

This victory marked the first time Red Bull has won a race using their own power unit. Verstappen noted the significance of the win following the team's recent progression, expressing pride in the team's performance at a circuit where he was also the final winner before the track was removed from the calendar in 2017.

Kimi Antonelli finished the race in second place for Mercedes. Despite the result, Antonelli maintains a significant lead in the championship standings, holding an 84-point advantage over his teammate George Russell. Russell, who had been running in third place, was forced to retire from the race with only five laps remaining due to a suspected power unit issue.

Lewis Hamilton completed the podium for Ferrari, finishing in third place. Hamilton’s race was complicated by an early tire strategy decision that saw him drop to 18th position at the start. Despite the initial setback, Hamilton managed to recover through the field, crediting the team's pit stops for helping him regain ground after he initially feared his race was over.

Following the race, Hamilton acknowledged the difficulty of the early tire call, noting that he had to remain focused as other drivers pulled away. Antonelli, meanwhile, successfully defended his second-place position against Hamilton during the closing stages of the event, stating that the result represented the maximum performance the team could achieve under the circumstances.