F1 Power Rankings: Who Impressed the Judges at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?

Verstappen and Red Bull Master Mixed Conditions at Sepang

Max Verstappen produced an exceptional drive to lead Red Bull to a breakthrough victory at the Sepang International Circuit. Across the opening 15 rounds of the season, Red Bull and their all-new power unit package had consistently collected podium finishes, yet both pole position and top-step honors had remained elusive. A package of recent aerodynamic and mechanical updates came together in Malaysia, allowing the Dutchman to secure P1 in qualifying before controlling a chaotic, mixed-conditions Grand Prix on Sunday. The dominant weekend earned Verstappen a unanimous 10/10 rating from the official Power Rankings panel.

Behind Verstappen, Mercedes faced severe setup challenges trying to dial in their latest car updates on the demanding, abrasive track surface. However, Kimi Antonelli delivered a mature performance, turning a third-place grid slot—promoted from fourth following an engine-related penalty for Isack Hadjar—into an immediate lead on Lap 1. Antonelli eventually settled into a strong second behind Verstappen. With Mercedes teammate George Russell grinding to a halt in the closing laps while contending for a podium, the Italian driver extended his lead in the World Drivers’ Championship standings to 84 points.

Hamilton’s Ferrari Recovery and Standout Midfield Performances

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton faced an uphill battle after an aggressive strategic gamble went wrong at lights out. Starting from P2, a decision to fit slick tires on a wet circuit backfired instantly, dropping the seven-time World Champion down to P17 by the conclusion of the first racing lap. As the track surface transitioned from damp to dry, Hamilton unlocked blistering pace, executing clean overtakes through the field before passing Hadjar late in the Grand Prix to salvage third place on the podium.

The changing conditions also provided an ideal canvas for aggressive midfield charges:

• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): Overcame documented 2026 development hurdles with Honda, turning a season-best P12 qualifying result into an eighth-place finish through veteran tire management.
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls): Capitalized on intermediate tires to surge from 11th on the grid to fourth on the opening lap, battling wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen before crossing the line in seventh to bolster Racing Bulls’ fight for P5 in the constructors’ standings against Alpine.
• Isack Hadjar: Maintained high form following his return from a wrist injury in Baku, placing fifth despite drop-off in pace during the latter dry stint that allowed both Ferraris through.
• Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls): Recovered from a back-of-the-grid start triggered by fresh power unit components, gaining 13 positions on Lap 1 alone before pulling off a decisive late move on Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg to claim P10.

Heartbreak for Audi as Haas Shows Early Promise

Audi veteran Nico Hulkenberg appeared on track for a well-deserved top-10 reward after carving his way from 15th on the grid into points-paying territory. However, a frantic finish saw both Lindblad and McLaren’s Lando Norris—who had earlier suffered an off-track excursion behind the Safety Car—pass the German in the final laps, leaving Hulkenberg just outside the points once again. Hulkenberg’s teammate Gabriel Bortoleto also impacted the midfield running when he spun Williams driver Carlos Sainz exiting Turn 2, ending Sainz’s strong recovery drive that had briefly seen him climb from 13th to sixth.

Further down the field, Esteban Ocon, who recently announced his departure from Haas at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign, gained ten places on the opening lap from 17th on the grid. While the Haas machine’s pace faded in dry conditions, Ocon held firm inside the top 10 for the opening half of the race. Just outside the Power Rankings top 10, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (P6), and the unfortunate Russell received honorable mentions for their competitive showings.

Why This Matters

Red Bull’s breakthrough victory demonstrates that their in-house power unit project is fully capable of capturing poles and race wins against established manufacturers under volatile conditions. In the championship fight, Kimi Antonelli’s massive 84-point cushion provides Mercedes with substantial breathing room as the team continues to decipher its development package. Meanwhile, the midfield battle between Racing Bulls and Alpine has tightened, with the former leaning heavily on the combined form of Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad to capture crucial points positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Max Verstappen receive a unanimous 10/10 Power Rankings rating?

Verstappen earned the maximum score after securing pole position and dominating a chaotic, wet-to-dry race at Sepang, handing Red Bull and their new power unit program their first pole and victory of the campaign.

How did Lewis Hamilton recover from P17 to finish on the podium?

After a dry-tire gamble at the start dropped him from second to 17th on Lap 1, Hamilton utilized the drying track surface to display rapid lap times, carving through the midfield and passing Isack Hadjar in the closing stages to finish third.

What impact did the race have on Kimi Antonelli’s title bid?

Antonelli capitalized on second place and the late retirement of teammate George Russell to expand his lead in the World Drivers’ Championship standings to 84 points.