Top stories · Sunday 4 October
via PlanetF1BREAKINGBahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026Sun 4 Oct · 10:22 UTCMax 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.
+ 13 moreUpdated Sun 4 Oct · 14:55 UTC100
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.
Sun 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.
Sun 4 Oct · 15:01 UTC/Leclerc%20header%20Sepang.webp)
via Formula1.comLeclerc 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.
Sun 4 Oct · 14:44 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Hadjar lost a possible podium chance in SepangIsack Hadjar of Red Bull Racing experienced a frustrating race at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where a late battery issue cost him a potential podium finish. After starting from eighth due to a penalty, Hadjar made significant progress and was running in a podium position until he faced grip and pace challenges in the closing laps, ultimately finishing fifth.
Despite his strong performance early in the race, Hadjar was unable to defend against Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the Safety Car restart. He expressed disappointment over the car's performance, stating that he felt something was wrong with the battery, which affected his ability to compete effectively. Hadjar is determined to address these issues and perform better in the upcoming race in Singapore.Sun 4 Oct · 14:44 UTC
via BBC SportHow to follow the Singapore Grand Prix on the BBCThe Singapore Grand Prix is set for 9-11 October 2026 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, marking the sixth and final sprint event of the season. The main race will begin at 13:00 BST on Sunday, with practice and qualifying sessions scheduled for the preceding days. Max Verstappen recently secured his first victory of the year at the Bahrain Grand Prix, while Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship by a significant margin over George Russell.
Weather conditions for the race weekend are expected to include thundery showers and light winds, with high temperatures around 33 degrees Celsius. The sprint race format will feature qualifying sessions that determine the grid, with points awarded to the top eight finishers. This event will be the first sprint weekend held at Marina Bay.
Sun 4 Oct · 14:44 UTC/GettyImages-2298517006.webp)
via Formula1.comNorris explains off-track moment behind Safety Car in MalaysiaLando Norris finished in ninth place at the Bahrain Grand Prix after a dramatic off-track incident during a late Safety Car period. Initially starting from fifth, Norris struggled with tyre choices and was caught out when George Russell retired, leading to a chaotic situation on track that forced him into the gravel.
After the race, Norris acknowledged that his decision to start on medium tyres was incorrect and admitted to swearing during the incident. He received a reprimand from the stewards for driving erratically under Safety Car conditions. Despite the setback, his teammate Oscar Piastri managed to secure a sixth-place finish.Sun 4 Oct · 14:13 UTC
'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.Sun 4 Oct · 14:13 UTC
Hamilton comments on Ferrari's tyre gamble in BahrainLewis Hamilton remarked on Ferrari's decision to start the Bahrain Grand Prix on slick tyres, suggesting he had advocated for intermediate tyres instead. He jokingly stated that he would not be visiting a casino with Ferrari's strategists after their risky choice backfired.
+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 14:13 UTC29
“It’s a joke” – Isack Hadjar rues ‘disastrous’ race in “horrible” car with “no battery”Isack Hadjar expressed frustration over his performance in the Bahrain Grand Prix, describing it as a 'joke' due to issues with grip and power in his Red Bull car. Starting from eighth place, he managed to climb to third after George Russell's retirement but ultimately finished fifth after being unable to defend against the Ferraris in the final laps.
Despite his struggles, Red Bull Racing secured a victory with Max Verstappen. Hadjar noted that he had no battery power during crucial moments of the race, which hindered his ability to compete effectively. He aims to address these issues ahead of the next race in Singapore.
Sun 4 Oct · 14:00 UTC
Jacques Villeneuve says Toto Wolff’s comments about Mercedes drivers trouble him ‘as a father’Toto Wolff believes that the relationship between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli is healthy, contrasting it with past rivalries. He attributes their good rapport to their shared background as Mercedes academy drivers, which he believes fosters a team-oriented mindset.
Jacques Villeneuve, however, expressed concern over Wolff's comments about moulding drivers, stating that it may hinder their personal growth. He feels that while this approach may enhance their racing skills, it raises ethical questions about their development as individuals.Sun 4 Oct · 14:00 UTC
Hamilton 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.
Sun 4 Oct · 13:52 UTC
F1's got a bug in its systemThe Bahrain Grand Prix faced significant delays due to a thunderstorm, leading to a 48-minute suspension before the race could commence. During the formation lap, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton encountered issues with their cars slowing down, which was later attributed to a software bug that affected multiple vehicles on the grid.
Drivers expressed frustration over the situation, with Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc highlighting the unacceptable nature of the glitches. The FIA committed to a full review of the issue, as the complexity of the current power units continues to pose challenges for the sport. Verstappen won the race, but concerns about the reliability and functionality of the technology remain prevalent among drivers and teams.
Sun 4 Oct · 13:36 UTC
Dominant Verstappen & superb Hamilton recovery - driver ratings Max Verstappen achieved his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia. Despite a poor start, he managed to regain control and dominate the race, finishing ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, who made a remarkable comeback from 18th place to secure third.
Hamilton's performance was highlighted by his ability to recover after a challenging start on slick tyres. Antonelli's second-place finish allowed him to extend his championship lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who faced disappointment with a retirement while running in third position due to a power unit issue.Sun 4 Oct · 13:36 UTCMore stories →