F1 Race Report: 2026 Grand Prix in Malaysia (Sepang International Circuit)

The Sepang International Circuit made a sensational return to the Formula 1 calendar as the host venue for the relocated event. In a chaotic, weather-affected wet-to-dry thriller, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen scored a masterpiece victory.

Weather, Pre-Race Delays & Starting Procedure Drama

Torrential tropical downpours and high humidity pushed Sepang’s conditions to the absolute edge prior to lights out.

• Heavy Rain Delays: The scheduled start of 15:00 local time was initially pushed back by 40 minutes due to heavy standing water across the circuit.
• Formation Lap Software Chaos: Once cars embarked on formation laps behind the Safety Car, several vehicles suffered technical glitches. Most notably, Lewis Hamilton experienced a sudden loss of power on his Ferrari. Ferrari was able to resolve the issue via a system software reset, prompting Race Control to throw a red flag, suspend the starting procedure, and send all cars back into the pit lane.
• Restart: After a prolonged suspension, the race officially got underway at 16:33 local time for a trimmed distance of 55 laps.

Key Race Incidents & Highlights

• Verstappen’s Masterclass: Starting from pole position, Max Verstappen managed the tricky, drying track conditions flawlessly to claim his first win of the season.
• Mercedes’ Mixed Fortunes: Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli put on a relentless drive to climb from 3rd on the grid to finish 2nd, extending his lead at the top of the standings. Teammate George Russell suffered a mechanical failure mid-race and was forced to register a DNF.
• Ferrari & Red Bull Stronghold: Lewis Hamilton backed up his front-row qualifying effort by securing the 3rd spot on the podium, closely pursued by teammate Charles Leclerc in 4th. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar put together a strong performance to round out the top 5.
• Retirements:
  • George Russell (Mercedes) – Mechanical issue (DNF)
  • Alex Albon (Williams) – DNF
  • Valtteri Bottas (Audi) – DNF

Full Driver Classification & Race Points

Pos	No.	Driver	Constructor	Laps	Time / Gap	Points Scored
1	3	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	55	1:47:14.808	25
2	12	Andrea Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	55	+2.307s	18
3	44	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	55	+4.919s	15
4	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	55	+7.258s	12
5	6	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull Racing	55	+8.571s	10
6	81	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	55	+9.454s	8
7	30	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	55	+12.753s	6
8	14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	55	+13.372s	4
9	1	Lando Norris	McLaren	55	+13.993s	2
10	41	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	55	+15.928s	1
11	27	Nico Hülkenberg	Haas	55	+17.404s	0
12	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	55	+18.052s	0
13	43	Franco Colapinto	Williams	55	+18.997s	0
14	87	Oliver Bearman	Haas	55	+22.305s	0
15	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	55	+22.532s	0
16	10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	55	+23.315s	0
17	55	Carlos Sainz Jr.	Williams	55	+25.431s	0
18	5	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	55	+28.233s	0
19	11	Sergio Pérez	Red Bull Racing	55	+29.310s	0
DNF	63	George Russell	Mercedes	49	Engine / Mechanical	0
DNF	23	Alex Albon	Williams	41	Mechanical	0
DNF	77	Valtteri Bottas	Audi	7	Mechanical	0

Drivers’ Championship Standings (Top 10)

Place	Driver	Constructor	Points Total
1	Andrea Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	320
2	George Russell	Mercedes	236
3	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	214
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	191
5	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	188
6	Lando Norris	McLaren	188
7	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	85
8	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull Racing	79
9	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	38
10	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	28

Constructors’ Championship Table

Place	Constructor	Points Total
1	Mercedes	556
2	Ferrari	405
3	Red Bull Racing	267
4	McLaren	273
5	Racing Bulls (RB)	66
6	Alpine	20
7	Haas	13
8	Williams	11
9	Aston Martin	7
10	Audi / Sauber	6