Max Verstappen won the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Bahrain held at Sepang in Malaysia on October 5, 2026, crossing the finish line in 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 14 seconds at an average speed of 170.563 km/h, according to race results reported by Corriere della Sera. The victory marked Verstappen’s 72nd Grand Prix win with a single team, tying Michael Schumacher’s record. This win, the first for Red Bull using home-made power units, returned Verstappen to the top step of the podium for the first time in nearly a year.
Software Glitch Delays Sepang Start
A programming bug in the cars’ software delayed the start of the race from 09:00 to 10:30 Italian time, as reported by Il Post. Heavy rain initially pushed the schedule back, with a downpour at 08:44 leading to a postponement. Drivers finally entered the track for formation laps at 09:40 behind the safety car, following a 40-minute stop due to incessant rain. The FIA’s technical department subsequently removed the energy limit in affected sectors via a software update distributed during the delay, as detailed by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Drivers expressed frustration over the technical reliance of modern power units. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli recounted finding himself proceeding alongside four other cars due to the confusion. Williams driver Carlos Sainz criticized the regulatory direction taken four or five years prior, stating to La Gazzetta dello Sport that such software dependencies would not happen with traditional V8 engines. George Russell added that it did not feel like Formula 1, while Sergio Perez compared his car to a rental kart that slows down when time expires.
Ferrari Strategy Errors Cost Podium Positions
Ferrari secured third and fourth places with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, but both drivers were forced into recovery drives after the team started them on soft compound tyres on a wet track, HDmotori reported. Corriere della Sera noted that Hamilton had warned the pit wall that the asphalt remained wet upon returning from formation laps, but the team elected to stay on slick tyres. The pit wall replied that enough time had passed for the track to dry quickly.
Hamilton slipped to 17th position in the opening laps before fighting back to finish third, aided by a safety car for Valtteri Bottas’ retirement and Russell’s technical failure. In post-race comments reported by Corriere della Sera, Hamilton admitted mixed feelings about the result. I think at the end today on one side of my heart I feel pain, because I think we had the potential to aim for the victory,
he said. Leclerc finished fourth after an early contact with Gabriel Bortoleto, pointing out to Corriere della Sera that rival teams like Red Bull consistently make sharper tactical choices in variable weather.
Ferrari was the only team with two drivers in the first two rows, yet failed to differentiate strategies. Team principal Fred Vasseur, who refers to the pre-race details as “preparation,” admitted the choice was wrong based on the available information. While the SF-26’s potential remained unexpressed on a track previously won by Schumacher, Alonso, and Raikkonen, Ferrari has seen successful choices at Spa, Silverstone, and Spain. However, the team has not returned to the podium since July at Spa.
Championship Standings After Sepang
Kimi Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers’ championship standings to 320 points, holding an 84-point advantage over teammate George Russell, who retired due to a power unit issue. Hamilton sits third in the standings with 214 points, followed by Leclerc with 191 points and Lando Norris with 188 points. In the constructor standings, Mercedes leads with 556 points, ahead of Ferrari with 405 points, McLaren with 316 points, and Red Bull with 298 points.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sepang Software Bug
What caused the software failure at the Sepang Grand Prix?
The FIA attributed the power loss to an unprecedented combination of low engine speeds, poor grip conditions, wet-weather energy management settings, and the specific sector configuration of the Sepang circuit. The software bug deactivated the MGU-K component unexpectedly at specific locations like turn 9. This was further complicated by the absence of the MGU-H this year, which previously helped the turbocharger remain reactive.
How did the FIA resolve the technical issue before the race?
The FIA technical department deployed an emergency software update to all competing teams during the race delay, removing the energy restriction in the affected sectors to allow power units to function normally.
What were the final podium positions in Malaysia?
Max Verstappen took first place for Red Bull, Kimi Antonelli finished second for Mercedes, and Lewis Hamilton claimed third place for Ferrari.
Future Outlook
The FIA has promised that this specific software situation will not recur. However, the event highlighted the difficulty of interpreting regulations that remain contested by drivers even at the sixteenth round of the season. Whether Ferrari can achieve the continuity needed for a turnaround remains unknown, and rumors regarding Fred Vasseur’s future at the end of the year persist despite official denials.
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