Max Verstappen took his and Red Bull's first win of the year in the rain-delayed and drama-filled Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 at Sepang International Circuit.

Verstappen was the last driver to win in Sepang in 2017 ​before it was taken off the calendar and the Dutchman, who had also taken pole, gave Red Bull a first victory with their own power unit despite ‌an early setback when he lost the lead before turn one, reported Reuters.

A torrential tropical thunderstorm and heavy lightning hit Sepang just before the scheduled start on Sunday, forcing a lengthy delay and making it F1's first wet-weather test for the 2026 car regulations.

As teams formed on the starting grid for the pre-race procedure, a small drizzle turned into a tropical thunderstorm as a sudden downpour accompanied by lightning hit the circuit outside Kuala Lumpur. The torrential rainfall was so severe that FIA race control had no choice to delay the race start, awaiting improving conditions, reported Yahoo sports.

Going out on a reconnaissance lap, the FIA's medical car reported a significant amount of standing water around the track, making the conditions unsuitable to racing.

Following the win in the chaotic rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix, the Red Bull Racing superstar triumphed from pole to take his first victory of this F1 season.

"It's a really nice one after the year that we've had and the progression that we've made. So I'm incredibly proud of everyone. It is super nice to win here," said Verstappen.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was second for Mercedes and now has an 84-point lead over his closest rival and teammate George Russell, who was third when he retired with ​a suspected power unit issue with five laps remaining.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished third despite a tyre gamble that had dropped the Briton down to 18th at the start of ​the race.

"Obviously, we had the wrong call at the beginning, which was so difficult and I could see everyone just pulling away," Hamilton ⁠said.

"I thought that was kind of race over for us, but I just kept my head down. The guys did a great job with the pit stops."

Antonelli held on to ​second from Hamilton in the closing laps.

"Today was the maximum we could have done... On our side, a lot of work to do," Antonelli said.

"We've been struggling a bit more ​than usual, but still really happy to come away with P2," he added.