2026 F1 Malaysia | Race results

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Max Verstappen won a chaotic 2026 F1 Race in Malaysia after a delayed start, mixed conditions and late Safety Car drama at Sepang. Full results below.

Heavy rain delayed the start before confusion unfolded during the initial formation laps behind the Safety Car. Isack Hadjar slid into the gravel but continued, while Lewis Hamilton almost stopped with a software issue before Ferrari managed to reset his car. Race Control then suspended the start procedure and later confirmed the original grid order would be used.

When the race finally began after almost a two-hour delay, tyre choice immediately split the field. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell made the right call on intermediates and moved into a Mercedes one-two, while Verstappen recovered from a poor launch to climb back into contention.

Verstappen takes control

Hamilton and Lando Norris initially stayed out on slicks, which dropped both down the order, while Charles Leclerc lost time after a slow stop for intermediates.

Verstappen soon passed Russell and closed in on Antonelli, before a Safety Car for Valtteri Bottas’ gravel-trap spin triggered the switch back to slicks. Antonelli and Russell chose mediums, while Verstappen took softs.

At the restart, Verstappen attacked immediately and passed Antonelli around the outside at Turn 1 to take the lead. Behind him, Gabriel Bortoleto received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Carlos Sainz, while Hamilton recovered strongly and moved back into the top five.

Late drama hits Russell

A late gearbox failure for Alex Albon triggered a Virtual Safety Car, which became a full Safety Car. But before racing resumed, Russell stopped on the main straight with a power unit issue, ending his race and dealing a major blow to his championship hopes.

Norris also slid into the gravel under Safety Car conditions and dropped outside the points.

Racing resumed on Lap 52, and Verstappen launched cleanly to keep Antonelli behind. Hamilton then passed Hadjar for third, before Leclerc also overtook the Racing Bulls driver for fourth.

Verstappen held on to win the 2026 F1 Race in Malaysia, with Antonelli second and Hamilton third after a dramatic afternoon at Sepang.