Andrea Kimi AntonelliCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonMax Verstappen 
via RacingNews365Sainz and Alonso criticise F1's Bahrain software issuesCarlos Sainz described the software glitch during the formation lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix as an embarrassing failure for Formula 1. Fernando Alonso echoed these sentiments, calling the handling of the aborted start '100% unfair' to the drivers.
RacingNews365+ 3 moreSun 4 Oct · 15:10 UTC
via RaceFansHamilton suspects he could have fought for win had he started on slicks | Formula 1Lewis Hamilton expressed that he might have contended for victory at the Sepang Grand Prix if he had started on slick tyres. He qualified second, sharing the front row with Max Verstappen, and felt confident about his chances during the race weekend.
Hamilton mentioned that he and his engineers worked late into the night preparing for the race and believed it was a good opportunity to challenge Verstappen. However, the race faced delays due to rain and a software problem, impacting the start.
RaceFansSun 4 Oct · 15:07 UTC
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli says Lewis Hamilton’s Malaysia drive shows why he’s made ‘history’ in F1Kimi Antonelli commended Lewis Hamilton for his impressive performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Hamilton faced significant challenges after a software issue during the formation lap. Despite dropping to 17th place, Hamilton's strategic driving and a timely safety car allowed him to secure a third-place finish, showcasing his determination and skill.
Antonelli, who finished second in the race, highlighted Hamilton's ability to maintain focus and strive for the best results even in difficult situations. He noted that Hamilton's experience and resilience serve as an inspiration, particularly as Hamilton continues to extend his record for podium finishes, now standing at 208, well ahead of Michael Schumacher.
f1oversteer.comSun 4 Oct · 15:01 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen wins Bahrain Grand Prix for Red Bull FordMax Verstappen described his victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as a 'really special and emotional moment' for him and Red Bull. Team principal Laurent Mekies called the win a 'milestone moment' as it marked Red Bull's first victory as a Formula 1 power unit manufacturer.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 14:46 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, overcoming challenging weather conditions. The race was marked by thunderstorms and technical issues, leading to a chaotic finish that saw George Russell retire.RacingNews365Sun 4 Oct · 14:46 UTC%2FLeclerc%2520header%2520Sepang.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comRUMOURLeclerc relieved with P4 after everything went ‘wrong’ in SepangCharles Leclerc expressed relief after recovering from last place to finish fourth in the Malaysian Grand Prix, despite a challenging race filled with issues. He noted that everything that could have gone wrong did happen early in the race, including a puncture and a strategy error that left him at the back of the field.
Leclerc acknowledged the need for Ferrari to learn from their mistakes, especially regarding their tyre choices in mixed conditions. He praised the team's efforts and expressed hope that their performance would quell recent speculation about the team's future, reaffirming their unity and commitment to returning to the top of the podium.
Formula1.comSun 4 Oct · 14:44 UTC
via Formula1.com'P2 was the maximum we could have achieved' – AntonelliKimi Antonelli secured a second-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, extending his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 84 points. Despite his strong performance, he noted that Mercedes still has significant challenges to address, particularly regarding reliability issues that affected his teammate George Russell, who retired from the race.
Antonelli started the race in third position and made a successful move on Max Verstappen at the start. However, he lost ground after a Safety Car period. He expressed satisfaction with his result but acknowledged the need for improvement within the team. Antonelli's comments highlighted the impact of Russell's retirement on the team's overall performance and the importance of reliability as they move forward in the season.Formula1.comSun 4 Oct · 14:13 UTC
via Sky Sports F1McLaren and Ferrari struggle with tyre choice in BahrainDuring the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, McLaren and Ferrari faced challenges due to their decision to use slick tyres. The race, which was delayed for an hour and 33 minutes, revealed that intermediate tyres were the more effective choice in the early laps.
Sky Sports F1+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 14:13 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoRed Bull hail 'untouchable' Max Verstappen after smashing vital milestoneMax Verstappen secured a remarkable victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, marking his first win of the 2026 Formula 1 season. This victory is significant as it represents Red Bull's first triumph as a power unit manufacturer, achieved on their sixteenth attempt. Verstappen's win also ensures he has claimed at least one victory in every season since his second year in Formula 1 in 2016.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies expressed his excitement, stating it felt like a long wait since Verstappen's last win in Abu Dhabi the previous year. He highlighted the achievement as a new beginning for Red Bull-Ford, emphasising the strong pace displayed by Verstappen throughout the weekend at the Sepang International Circuit.RacingNews365Sun 4 Oct · 14:00 UTC
via RaceFansF1 leaders call for lessons after Sepang formation lapAndrea Stella, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen have emphasised the need for Formula 1 to learn from the chaotic formation lap at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Stella acknowledged that software bugs are a possibility under current regulations, while Hamilton and Verstappen highlighted the unusual situation that unfolded.RaceFans+ 2 moreSun 4 Oct · 13:56 UTC
via F1iHamilton admits to costly Ferrari tyre call: 'We were in trouble'Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that Ferrari's decision to use soft tyres during the Bahrain Grand Prix put him in a difficult position. Despite qualifying second, the choice to go with slicks while rivals opted for intermediates led to a challenging start, causing Hamilton to fall down the order as he struggled for grip on the wet track.
However, Hamilton's patience paid off as the track conditions improved, allowing him to regain positions and ultimately finish third. He credited his team's effective strategy and strong pit stops for the remarkable recovery, while teammate Charles Leclerc also performed well, finishing in fourth place.
F1iSun 4 Oct · 13:52 UTC
via BBC Sport2026 Bahrain Grand Prix driver ratings releasedDriver ratings for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia have been published, reflecting the challenges faced during the race. Factors such as wet weather, tyre choices, and technical issues were considered in the assessments.
BBC Sport+ 3 moreSun 4 Oct · 13:36 UTC
via Crash1 videoLewis Hamilton jokes about Ferrari's strategy blunderLewis Hamilton made a light-hearted joke regarding Ferrari's strategy blunder during the Bahrain Grand Prix. The comment came after Hamilton staged a strong recovery to secure a podium finish in Malaysia.
Crash+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 14:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.com1 videoMax Verstappen criticises Bahrain Grand Prix chaosMax Verstappen expressed his frustration over the chaotic formation lap during the Bahrain Grand Prix, labelling the situation as farcical. His comments were shared via radio communication, highlighting the disorganisation faced by drivers at the start of the race.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 13:30 UTC
via Motorsport WeekLewis Hamilton criticises Ferrari's tyre strategy errorLewis Hamilton revealed that a tyre choice mistake by Ferrari hindered his chances of competing with Max Verstappen during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Hamilton stated he warned Ferrari about the potential consequences of their decision, which ultimately affected his race performance.
Motorsport Week+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 13:29 UTC
via AutosportLewis Hamilton warns Ferrari over tyre choice in BahrainLewis Hamilton expressed that he could have secured victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix if Ferrari had chosen the correct tyres at the start of the race. The decision to use slick tyres instead of intermediates ultimately hindered both McLaren and Ferrari's performance.
Autosport+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 13:14 UTC
via CrashSainz calls for F1 to reflect on Bahrain Grand Prix issuesCarlos Sainz has stated that Formula 1 needs to take a hard look at itself following the issues experienced during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He emphasised the importance of addressing the unprecedented software glitches that marred the event.Crash+ 3 moreSun 4 Oct · 12:42 UTC
via AutosportFIA reveals software glitch caused Bahrain GP chaosThe FIA has identified an 'unprecedented' software glitch as the reason behind the chaos at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. This issue led to several cars losing power during the formation lap, resulting in a 40-minute delay to the race.Autosport+ 4 moreSun 4 Oct · 12:40 UTC
via Motorsport.comFIA reveals why F1 cars stopped in rain at Bahrain GP in MalaysiaThe FIA has revealed that Formula 1 cars experienced technical issues during the Bahrain Grand Prix due to a software glitch that rendered throttle input ineffective. This caused several cars, including those of front-row starters Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, to come to a standstill during a chaotic formation lap, leading to a 40-minute delay before the race could start.
Nikolas Tombazis from the FIA explained that the glitch was a result of the power unit's reaction to cars moving extremely slowly in wet conditions, which had not been tested extensively this season. The FIA managed to issue a software update within 20 minutes to resolve the issue, although the delay felt much longer to spectators. Drivers Sergio Perez and Lando Norris expressed their frustration over the situation, while Fernando Alonso made light of the incident.Motorsport.comSun 4 Oct · 12:33 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren admits error in Bahrain Grand Prix tyre strategyAndrea Stella, Team Principal of McLaren, acknowledged the team's miscalculation regarding tyre choices during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The decision to use slick tyres instead of intermediates at the start of the race contributed to their challenging performance.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 12:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Hamilton and Verstappen call race glitch a 'Lego race'Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton described a software bug that impacted multiple cars before the Bahrain Grand Prix as turning the event into a 'Lego race'. Despite the initial chaos, both drivers were able to find humour in the situation afterwards.RacingNews365+ 2 moreSun 4 Oct · 12:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDavid Croft says Max Verstappen’s Malaysia win proved Christian Horner was right all alongMax Verstappen secured his first victory of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia, marking a significant achievement for Red Bull Racing. After a challenging start, Verstappen quickly moved past competitors George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, showcasing a dominant performance despite a late safety car.
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft highlighted the importance of this win for Red Bull Powertrains, which is now recognized as a new engine manufacturer in Formula 1. Christian Horner's decision to develop their own engines instead of relying on suppliers has proven successful, with Red Bull's performance exceeding expectations in their first year.f1oversteer.comSun 4 Oct · 12:30 UTC
via grandprix.comGeorge Russell retires due to Mercedes power unit failureGeorge Russell was forced to retire from the Bahrain Grand Prix due to a suspected power unit failure, which occurred with just five laps remaining. This incident has significantly impacted his championship hopes and denied Mercedes a potential podium finish.grandprix.com+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 12:27 UTC
via RaceFansFIA confirms Ferrari not at fault for Bahrain GP delaysThe FIA has stated that an unexpected combination of factors led to multiple car stoppages during the formation lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix. This clarification comes after Lewis Hamilton experienced a stoppage before making a notable comeback in the race.RaceFans+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 12:18 UTC