Max Verstappen won a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia with a dominant drive for Red Bull, his and the team’s first win of the season beating the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli into second. With the Italian’s teammate and title rival George Russell forced to retire with five laps to go it has left the British driver’s title hopes shattered and Antonelli within touching distance of the championship.
Lewis Hamilton was third for Ferrari making a remarkable comeback after a torrid afternoon, starting on the slick rubber in the wet which dropped him as far back as 17th before coming back with a superb drive, including a late pass on Isack Hadjar who finished fifth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth after a race marked by farcical scenes before it was even underway as this season’s engine formula was found sorely wanting the first time it was tested in wet conditions.
For Antonelli, while Mercedes were no match for Verstappen and Red Bull, he did what was required in leading his teammate for most of the race until Russell, who was in third place behind the Italian had a power unit problem and had to pull off track. There was heartbreak for Russell, who suffered an engine problem at the same track where Hamilton endured a similar failure in 2016 which all but cost him the title. Russell’s chances are surely now all but gone as Antonelli takes an 84-point lead with seven meetings remaining.
The victory for Verstappen was as dominant as some of his best drives. Having passed Antonelli for the lead in the early stages he was untouchable out front to take the flag nine years after he won in Malaysia in 2017, the last time the circuit held a meeting and for his first win since the Abu Dhabi GP last year.
Before what was a fairly straightforward victory for Verstappen however, the new formula was reduced to embarrassing scenes. This was the first time these cars had run in the wet after a deluge of rain swamped the circuit before the start and the engines, with an almost 50-50 split between electrical and combustion power and already facing fierce criticism all season, proved to have problems that had not been anticipated.
The start had been delayed by 45 minutes but as the rain eased the cars took to the track for two formation laps, however Hamilton, who had a software problem, slowed and then came to a halt on track.
He did restart but he was not alone and there were similar issues effecting other competitors, including Verstappen noting he could not accelerate and the Ferrari-engined Haas and Cadillac of Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas also stopping. It left the field out of order and in some cases not on the same lap and the start was suspended, with the cars returning to the pit lane.
A further delay of 53 minutes ensued as the cars were re-sorted into grid order and the FIA uploaded new software parameters to the cars. The issue was caused it appears by the cars being off throttle too long in the wet, the turbo spooling down and subsequently all the electrical power being used. The engine is then unable to produce enough power to be within the FIA regulation, preventing it from re-accelerating. A trap that had not apparently been foreseen.
None of which takes the sheen off Verstappen’s victory, which represents an extraordinary turnaround delivered with no little fortitude. For the opening half of the season the car had been an absolute handful to drive and even Verstappen, for all his skill, was struggling to master it. Since which Red Bull have delivered upgrades perhaps beyond expectations. After being almost a bit-part player for much of the season, taking a win was a mighty achievement.
When racing was finally under way Verstappen had a terrible start and was passed by Antonelli, while Russell made a brilliant getaway from seventh to claim second into the first corner.
Struggling for grip on slick rubber Hamilton fell backwards, while Verstappen recovered to stay with the two Mercedes. He caught Russell, who was struggling for grip on the fourth lap and showing great pace claimed second and set off after Antonelli. Verstappen was right on Antonelli at a safety car restart and the pair went wheel to wheel through the first three corners before the Dutchman edged ahead, while Russell took advantage too, cutting past his teammate to claim second.
From which point Verstappen held the race in his hands, while Antonelli proved once more to have more pace than Russell and swept past his teammate on lap 21.
Hamilton, showing huge determination, moved through the field and was up to fifth by lap 29 and made a late pass on Hadjar to claim a podium place. While Verstappen held complete control to the flag the race still held late drama as a despondent Russell was forced to retire. The victory belonged to Verstappen but Antonelli too emerged from Sepang very much on top.