LIVE: F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Verstappen wins from Antonelli, Russell DNFs after late engine failure | Live text

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, securing a win that marked the circuit’s brief return to the calendar as a proxy for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The race, which began three hours and 20 minutes after the originally scheduled start, was defined by chaotic restarts, safety car periods, and a dramatic final lap battle that saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc complete a recovery to finish fourth.

The result cements Verstappen’s dominance in a race where he was in command for nearly the entire distance, despite falling back at the start. The victory adds to the record books, highlighting the unique circumstances of the event held in Malaysia. Antonelli finished second, 2.3 seconds behind the winner, while Lewis Hamilton took third place, 2.6 seconds further back.

The podium ceremony was accompanied by the Dutch and Austrian national anthems, a combination that felt like a long time coming to observers. The event concluded with drivers spraying rosewater, a traditional gesture in Malaysia, before the Autosport team signed off, promising a return in a few days for more analysis.

The race narrative was heavily influenced by a series of incidents that disrupted the flow, including a full safety car period that ended as the field closed lap 51. The restart was described as a "pantomime" of letting lapped cars unlap themselves, with Sergio Perez making his way through the queue.

Perez’s Cadillac was noted to be circulating at six seconds per lap off the frontrunning pace, a significant deficit that made his position moot when Russell pulled off the track at the pit exit due to a power unit issue. This incident caused a chain reaction, with Lando Norris spearing off at Turn 1 and losing four places, while other drivers checked up to avoid collisions.

The final laps saw intense battles for position, particularly among the mid-pack drivers. Isack Hadjar clung on to fifth place under pressure from Oscar Piastri on the final lap, while Lando Lawson fell three seconds behind that battle to finish seventh, 0.6 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso. Alonso held off Norris for eighth place at the flag, having managed to get into that position during the restart.

Oscar Piastri, who had been battling for sixth, saw Lawson assert himself briefly before Piastri got his nose ahead into Turn 4. The top six drivers all ran on scrubbed soft tires during the final stages, a strategy that added complexity to the tire management and overtaking opportunities.

The safety car period, which was upgraded from a virtual safety car due to Alex Albon’s Williams being stuck in gear, provided a crucial reset for the race. Marshals were unable to move Albon’s car, prompting the upgrade. During this period, Verstappen pitted, allowing Antonelli to take the race lead, while Mercedes opted to keep its drivers out for another lap before pitting. Hamilton and Leclerc also took the opportunity to stop.

The restart was marked by aggressive driving, with Verstappen hitting the gas very early before the final corner to create breathing space from Antonelli. This move effectively sealed his victory, as Antonelli was 1.4 seconds down with one lap to go, ending any hopes of a win.

The race also featured notable overtakes and defensive maneuvers in the mid-field. Lewis Hamilton made a move on Hadjar into Turn 1 at the start of lap 53, receiving approval from the roaring crowd. However, Hamilton had previously attempted a similar move on Hadjar at the start of lap 43, which did not stick, and both drivers nearly tripped over Albon’s slowing car.

Earlier in the race, Alonso had nailed Lindblad into Turn 1 at the start of lap 41, driving around the outside into Turn 3 after Lindblad tried to stick it out. Alonso also capitalized on Esteban Ocon’s slide through a preceding corner to take P11 at Turn 4.

The performance of the Honda-powered cars was highlighted, with commentary noting that corks would be popping at Honda’s R&D facility. The Racing Bulls, which shares the same engine, was described as a rocket, a fact demonstrated when Alonso overtook Lindblad. Hulkenberg also made progress on new softs fitted five laps prior, passing Stroll and Ocon through sector two.

The tire strategy played a significant role, with data indicating that Piastri was on new hards in P7, while Norris was on scrubbed softs. Lawson and Alonso also had new softs on, setting up a "tasty restart" given the stakes.

The race conditions were misjudged early on by Ferrari, but the team managed to recover, with Leclerc completing the recovery to P4. This was described as a very lucky race for Ferrari. The incident involving Russell’s engine failure was a pivotal moment, with the car slowing down and causing those behind to check up. Norris locked up while trying to avoid hitting the back of his teammate, adding to the chaos.

The Autosport writers noted that there was a lot to unpack from the race, and they had set to work on five key themes.

The event served as a proxy for the Bahrain Grand Prix, a unique arrangement that brought F1 back to Sepang. The delay in the start, three hours and 20 minutes, added to the drama and anticipation. The race was a test of strategy and skill, with drivers navigating through safety car periods, tire management, and aggressive overtaking. The final result saw Verstappen extending his lead, while Antonelli and Hamilton completed the podium.

The race was a showcase of the sport’s unpredictability, with multiple incidents and strategy calls shaping the outcome.

The Autosport team concluded their live coverage by noting the significance of the Dutch and Austrian anthems on the podium. They also referenced former Autosport editor Edd Straw’s comment about "Codders' writers' strike material," a phrase that left readers wondering about its meaning. The team promised to return in a few days for more action and analysis.

The race was a memorable event for fans, with the crowd roaring in approval at key moments, such as Hamilton’s overtake on Hadjar. The combination of high-speed action, strategic depth, and dramatic incidents made for a compelling viewing experience.

The Malaysian Grand Prix, held as a proxy for Bahrain, has now concluded, with Verstappen’s victory marking a significant moment in his career. The race highlighted the importance of strategy and adaptability, as teams and drivers responded to changing conditions and incidents. The performance of the Honda-powered cars was a positive note, with Alonso and others making gains.

The race was a testament to the skill and determination of the drivers, who navigated through a challenging and unpredictable event. The Autosport team’s analysis will provide further insight into the key themes and moments of the race, offering a deeper understanding of the strategies and decisions that shaped the outcome.

The event has left a lasting impression on fans and participants alike, with the return to Sepang adding a special dimension to the Formula One calendar.