Verstappen wins chaotic Sepang race, Antonelli aided by Russell issue

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won a turbulent Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia on Sunday, withstanding bad weather, technical issues and being overtaken off the grid to record his first victory of the Formula One season.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes finished second and was boosted in the overall standings by team-mate George Russell having to retire from the race late on when sitting third. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took third instead.

The event, already postponed from April and then moved to Malaysia because of conflict in the Middle East, started over 90 minutes late due to heavy rain and team software issues in Sepang.

Verstappen was on pole for the only time so far this season and his hopes of a first win since the season-ender in Abu Dhabi last year initially looked like they had evaporated – just like the rain on the drying track. But the Dutchman had other ideas.

The race began in the pits due to the weather and there were two laps behind the safety car before a standing start from the grid. Verstappen had a bad restart, allowing Antonelli and Russell to get past the four-time champion, who later retook second from the Briton.

The safety car came out again on lap 9 after an accident for Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas. The top cars pitted to remove intermediate tyres with the track no longer wet and Verstappen soon took the chance to overtake Antonelli and seize the lead again.

Russell – winner last time out in Baku and second overall – passed Antonelli too as the Italian, looking for a maiden championship aged 20, suddenly looked exposed. The Mercedes duo later switched places again though when Antonelli pounced halfway through the race.

There was a further twist 10 laps from the end when Verstappen pitted during a virtual safety car phase after Williams’ Alex Albon went off. Antonelli was briefly in the lead, but Mercedes decided he had to pit too before the full safety car was brought out.

Russell’s Mercedes came to a halt before full racing was again permitted. With the field bunched, Verstappen clung on.