Verstappen wins in Malaysia as Mercedes falters and midfield fights intensify

Verstappen wins in Malaysia as Mercedes falters and midfield fights intensify

Sports

Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, delivering Red Bull its first victory with the new Ford power unit, while Mercedes and McLaren faced performance setbacks and midfield teams contested points, Motorsport. com reported. The race began with a postponed start and featured brief wet-weather laps and multiple safety-car periods, prompting criticism of race procedures, The Race said.

Earlier in the weekend, Verstappen secured pole and Lewis Hamilton qualified second, and several drivers received grid penalties, Autosport noted. After qualifying, the two champions exchanged congratulations in parc ferme, which drew positive reactions online, Motorsport. com added.

Actors

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Isack Hadjar Andrea Kimi Antonelli Charles Leclerc Lando Norris George Russell Pierre Gasly Gabriel Bortoleto Liam Lawson Fernando Alonso Franco Colapinto Arvid Lindblad Red Bull Racing Mercedes Ferrari McLaren Alpine Audi Racing Bulls Aston Martin Formula One

Locations

Malaysia Bahrain

Articles

October 04, 2026
2 total
Verstappen wins in Malaysia as Mercedes struggles and midfield battles unfold
Verstappen wins in Malaysia as Mercedes struggles and midfield battles unfold

Motorsport.com • 04 Oct 15:04

Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first victory with its new Ford power unit at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while Mercedes and McLaren faced performance setbacks and several midfield teams contended for points.

Credibility 68% Manip. 30% Center
Formula One race in Malaysia marked by delayed start, wet conditions and safety car periods
Formula One race in Malaysia marked by delayed start, wet conditions and safety car periods

The Race • 04 Oct 14:20

The Malaysian Grand Prix experienced a postponed start, brief wet-weather laps and several safety-car interventions, prompting criticism of race procedures and calls for rule changes.

Credibility 46% Manip. 34% Center
October 03, 2026
7 total
Mercedes struggles with new upgrade after poor qualifying in Bahrain
Mercedes struggles with new upgrade after poor qualifying in Bahrain

The Race • 03 Oct 13:57

Mercedes fell to fourth and eighth in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite introducing a major upgrade that was expected to improve lap times, prompting the team to investigate the car's performance issues.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center
Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli promoted to third on Bahrain grid after penalty to Isack Hadjar
Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli promoted to third on Bahrain grid after penalty to Isack Hadjar

Motorsport.com • 03 Oct 12:58

Kimi Antonelli was moved from fourth to third on the Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid after a penalty to Isack Hadjar, prompting a surprised reaction from the young driver.

Credibility 72% Manip. 7% Center
Verstappen and Hamilton share friendly moment after Sepang qualifying
Verstappen and Hamilton share friendly moment after Sepang qualifying

Motorsport.com • 03 Oct 12:00

Max Verstappen took pole and Lewis Hamilton qualified second for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, and the two champions were seen congratulating each other in parc ferme, sparking positive reactions online.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Red Bull secures pole while Mercedes faces qualifying woes in Malaysia
Red Bull secures pole while Mercedes faces qualifying woes in Malaysia

The Race • 03 Oct 10:52

Max Verstappen claimed pole at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while Mercedes recorded its poorest qualifying result of the season, prompting analysis of upgrades and track conditions.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center
Verstappen claims pole at Bahrain GP in Malaysia, Hamilton joins front row
Verstappen claims pole at Bahrain GP in Malaysia, Hamilton joins front row

Autosport • 03 Oct 09:18

Max Verstappen secured his first pole of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Lewis Hamilton qualifying second. Several drivers faced penalties and grid drops ahead of the race.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Verstappen claims pole at Bahrain GP in Malaysia, Hamilton joins front row
Verstappen claims pole at Bahrain GP in Malaysia, Hamilton joins front row

Motorsport.com • 03 Oct 09:17

Max Verstappen secured his first pole of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Lewis Hamilton qualifying second.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Antonelli leads final practice in Sepang as Mercedes recovers
Antonelli leads final practice in Sepang as Mercedes recovers

Motorsport.com • 03 Oct 05:44

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in the third practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, improving on a modest Friday performance.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center

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