Four-time world champion Max Verstappen mastered a wild and storm-delayed race to secure his and Red Bull’s first victory of the year on Sunday. Competing at the Sepang International Circuit nine years after winning the last Formula One race hosted there, the 29-year-old Dutchman negotiated a chaotic afternoon of crashes and shifting weather to claim his 72nd career win, his first since last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.
As tyre strategies constantly shifted, Verstappen crossed the finish line 2.307 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed a remarkable third place following a stunning recovery drive. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc recovered from dropping to last on the opening laps to finish fourth, ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, and Racing Bull’s Liam Lawson.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso secured a season-best eighth place, finishing ahead of world champion Lando Norris and Racing Bull rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Key Race Outcomes and Standings
- Kimi AntonelliExtended his championship lead to 84 points over Mercedes teammate George Russell.
- George RussellRetired late in the race due to a sudden power failure during a safety car period.
- Max Verstappen“It is really nice to win after the year we’ve had and all the progression we’ve made. It was very hectic with a lot of different things, but we made the right call with the inters.”
- Kimi Antonelli (P2)“It was the maximum we could have done. We struggled, but I am happy to come away with P2.”
- George RussellDescribed himself as “beyond disappointment” as late bad luck ruined his race, saying: “You’ve almost got to laugh… it’s just so many times this season it’s happened.”
The race started after a grueling 100-minute delay caused by a tropical rainstorm, with half of the field opting for intermediate tyres. Both Mercedes cars immediately swamped Verstappen at the start, with Antonelli seizing the lead at turn one, followed closely by Russell. Hamilton, who started second on the grid on soft slick tyres, struggled heavily for grip on the wet track and dropped far down the order.
“What a tough race that was,” Hamilton later reflected, admitting his heart sank when he realized Verstappen and Antonelli had switched to intermediate tyres at the last moment. “As we pulled out, all the spray came out the back of Max’s car and I was like, ‘Okay, I’m done.’ We made the decision to live with it. As everyone was overtaking me, the team asked if we should stop. I said no because we had already lost another 26 seconds, so what was the difference.”
The race pivoted on lap nine when Valtteri Bottas slid off into the gravel, triggering a safety car. This prompted most drivers to pit for dry tyres, with Antonelli selecting mediums and Verstappen opting for softs. Hamilton remained on track, but upon the restart, Verstappen surged past Antonelli to grab a lead he would keep until the checkered flag. Hamilton stayed out and upon the resumption Verstappen pounced to sweep round Antonelli and regain a lead he would not relinquish.
Hamilton continued his aggressive climb through the field, overtaking Lawson by lap 23 to claim fifth place. As the track dried out and a late safety car worked in his favor, he hunted down Hadjar for fourth before Russell’s late retirement elevated him to the final podium spot.
“I just waited for the track to dry and once it did, it felt good that I was catching people. The car felt great,” Hamilton added. “Then after that, really good pit stops from my guys in the garage and a good strategy. To get back to the podium, I never thought that was going to be the case. I’m really, really grateful.”
Important Details
- “I don’t need to say I think it’s gone but, of course, it’s exceptionally unlikely and that’s just the reality.”.
- ‘Tough race’: Hamilton was greeted by a roar from the big crowd.
