Andrea Kimi AntonelliJenson Button 
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen wins Bahrain Grand Prix over Kimi AntonelliMax Verstappen secured his first victory of the year at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli expressed his frustration at missing out on another win during the race held in Sepang.
RacingNews365+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 15:50 UTC
via theguardian.com‘Insane’: F1 drivers unite over engine regulations after chaotic Bahrain GPFollowing the chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula One drivers expressed strong discontent regarding the current engine regulations. The race was marred by significant delays and technical issues, with cars struggling to accelerate due to a software malfunction. Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton were among those who voiced their frustrations, highlighting the confusion and difficulties faced during the race.
The FIA acknowledged the problem stemmed from inadequate testing of the software in wet conditions, which led to an unintended loss of power. While minor adjustments to the engine regulations are anticipated for next year, a more comprehensive overhaul is not expected until 2028. Drivers like Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz have called for a reevaluation of the complex regulations that have contributed to these issues.
theguardian.comSun 4 Oct · 15:30 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 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 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.com1 videoKimi Antonelli extends championship lead with second placeKimi Antonelli secured second place at the Bahrain Grand Prix, allowing him to increase his lead in the Formula 1 championship standings. His performance at Sepang earned him an additional 18 points, further solidifying his position at the top.
Motorsport.comSun 4 Oct · 11:56 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoToto Wolff frustrated by George Russell's Bahrain DNFToto Wolff expressed his frustration following George Russell's retirement during the Bahrain Grand Prix, describing it as one of his worst experiences. The Mercedes team principal stated he was 'massively annoyed' by the late technical issue that impacted Russell's race and title hopes.RacingNews365+ 6 moreSun 4 Oct · 11:05 UTC
via Motorsport WeekKimi Antonelli reflects on lessons from VerstappenKimi Antonelli acknowledged the valuable lessons he learned from observing Max Verstappen during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where he finished in second place. The Mercedes driver conceded that the team could not achieve more than their podium result.
Motorsport Week+ 2 moreSun 4 Oct · 10:58 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen calls Bahrain GP start 'hectic'Max Verstappen described the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as 'very hectic' following his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season with Red Bull. The four-time champion noted that a temporary loss of power affected his initial getaway during the race.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 10:56 UTC
via f1technical.netMax Verstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first victory of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, driving for Red Bull Racing. The race featured mixed conditions and significant incidents, including a late retirement from George Russell.
f1technical.net+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 10:32 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first victory of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, overcoming significant delays and challenging weather conditions. The race, marked by heavy rain and technical issues, saw George Russell retire, impacting his championship aspirations.
PlanetF1+ 13 moreSun 4 Oct · 10:22 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoMax Verstappen wins 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaMax Verstappen secured victory at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia, overcoming challenging mixed conditions. Andrea Kimi Antonelli extended his championship lead to 84 points ahead of George Russell following the race.RacingNews365+ 6 moreSun 4 Oct · 10:20 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoGeorge Russell laments title hopes after Bahrain retirementGeorge Russell expressed his deep disappointment following his retirement from the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which has left him 84 points behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the drivers' championship. The Mercedes driver cited relentless misfortune, as this marked his third power unit failure of the season.RacingNews365+ 11 moreSun 4 Oct · 10:19 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Max VERSTAPPEN leads the Race at Kuala LumpurMax VERSTAPPEN takes the lead from Kimi ANTONELLI — live from Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain.Pit Lane Daily EditorialSun 4 Oct · 09:01 UTCWikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Kimi ANTONELLI leads the Race at Kuala LumpurKimi ANTONELLI takes the lead from Oscar PIASTRI — live from Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain.Pit Lane Daily EditorialSun 4 Oct · 08:39 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDamon Hill saw ‘how lucky’ F1 is to have Kimi Antonelli in one of the ‘greatest’ moments of all timeDamon Hill has expressed his admiration for Kimi Antonelli, highlighting his impressive rise as a front runner in the Formula 1 world championship. Despite facing challenges at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Antonelli's performance has kept him in contention for the podium, showcasing his talent even as Mercedes struggles.
Hill specifically praised Antonelli's stunning victory at Monza, where he surged from 19th to 1st, calling it one of the greatest sporting moments ever. Hill believes Antonelli's maturity and character make him a significant asset to Formula 1, and he anticipates a bright future for the young driver.f1oversteer.comSun 4 Oct · 06:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli rues costly error after added F1 qualifying stressKimi Antonelli expressed disappointment over a track limits violation during Q2 of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which resulted in him needing an additional set of soft tyres to reach Q3. Despite this setback, he managed to qualify fourth, significantly ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who qualified eighth.
Looking ahead to the race, Antonelli acknowledged the challenges posed by the harsh climate and track conditions, which could lead to high tyre degradation. He is currently leading the drivers' championship and plans to manage his race strategy carefully, aiming for the best possible result while being cautious not to take unnecessary risks.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 16:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli reacts to Bahrain GP P3 starting positionKimi Antonelli expressed surprise after learning he will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from third position. The Mercedes driver struggled during qualifying, finishing five-tenths behind polesitter Max Verstappen.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:58 UTC
via Formula1.comAntonelli rues error after feeling ‘front row was possible’Kimi Antonelli will start from third position in the Bahrain Grand Prix after a challenging qualifying session. The Mercedes driver felt he could have secured a front row spot but lost time due to a track limits violation that invalidated his initial lap in Q2. This forced him to use new soft tyres, limiting his options in the final qualifying segment.
Despite the setback, Antonelli expressed optimism about the race, noting the possibility of multiple pit stops due to tyre degradation and the potential for rain. He acknowledged that while he could not compete for pole position against Max Verstappen, he is looking forward to making the most of his starting position.Formula1.comSat 3 Oct · 11:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli eyes aggressive undercut attack in F1 MalaysiaKimi Antonelli will begin the Bahrain Grand Prix from third place, benefiting from Isack Hadjar's five-place grid penalty. Despite a strong performance in practice, Antonelli faced challenges during qualifying, finishing half a second behind Max Verstappen. He expressed disappointment but remains optimistic about the race, focusing on strategy and the potential of an aggressive undercut due to the circuit's characteristics.
Antonelli highlighted the difficulties posed by the abrasive track surface and the heat, which impact tyre performance. He emphasized the importance of strategy in the race, suggesting that Mercedes may adopt a two or three-stop approach. With the grid mixed, he is determined to maximize opportunities and aims to fight for a strong finish.Motorsport.comSat 3 Oct · 11:03 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell criticises Mercedes' poor qualifying in SepangGeorge Russell has described Mercedes' qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix as 'very bad', following a disappointing session after a promising practice. The team, which had shown competitive pace earlier, struggled to match the performance of Red Bull, who secured pole position.Motorsport Week+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:27 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoGeorge Russell perplexed by poor qualifying in SepangGeorge Russell expressed confusion over his disappointing qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where he finished eighth. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also voiced his bafflement at the team's unexpected lack of pace despite recent upgrades.RacingNews365+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff saw something for the ‘first time’ as Max Verstappen destroyed Kimi Antonelli at SepangDuring qualifying for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, Max Verstappen of Red Bull achieved pole position, marking his first of the season. He outpaced Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, with Antonelli finishing third and Hamilton second. Wolff expressed surprise at the significant performance gap, attributing it to Mercedes' struggles with drag and understeer despite introducing a new aerodynamic upgrade package.
Wolff highlighted that the team's expectations for the upgrades did not align with the actual performance observed during qualifying. Antonelli had previously topped practice sessions, leading to high hopes for the race weekend. However, the qualifying results revealed a disappointing outcome for Mercedes, prompting Wolff to call for a thorough analysis to understand the discrepancies and improve their performance moving forward.f1oversteer.comSat 3 Oct · 10:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff expresses confusion over Mercedes' paceToto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has voiced his confusion regarding the team's performance following a significant upgrade package for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite expectations of improved pace, both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell struggled during qualifying, leaving Wolff to suggest that 'something else is going on'.
Crash+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:50 UTC