{"id":2179746,"date":"2026-10-04T16:58:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T13:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2179746"},"modified":"2026-10-04T16:58:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T13:58:56","slug":"bahrain-gp-in-malaysia-lewis-hamilton-bemused-after-f1-lego-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2179746","title":{"rendered":"Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Lewis Hamilton bemused after F1 &#8216;Lego race&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header data-testid=\"headline\">\n<h1 id=\"main-heading\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-8zqj65-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Hamilton bemused after glitch turns F1 into &#8216;Lego race&#8217;<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s car lost all of its speed just before the race began<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"single-byline\" class=\"ssrcss-sevsa1-ContributorContainer ee66fvo3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dt4z-ContributorInfo ee66fvo0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-nsjd43-TextContributorName epw3ir01\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1q14p6q-LinkWithChevronContainer epw3ir02\"><span class=\"byline-link-text\">Andrew Benson<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dqo7s5-ContributorDetails ee66fvo2\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1m5444d-Text ee66fvo4\">F1 Correspondent<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-10-04T16:58:56.026Z\">4 October 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton likened the effects of a software bug that affected multiple cars before the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia to a &#8220;Lego race&#8221;.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The problem led to several cars, including those of the two multiple world champions who were sharing the front row of the grid, not working in the wet conditions that preceded the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A tropical downpour delayed attempts to get the grand prix under way for the best part of an hour. And when the cars set off on formation laps behind a safety car to test the conditions, audiences were treated to the bizarre sight of many of them struggling to move.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A bug in the software that mandates how the engines&#8217; electrical power can be used in wet conditions had been triggered by a combination of low engine speeds, low grip and specific aspects of the circuit layout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Verstappen, who went on to take a dominant win that was his first victory of the year, said: &#8220;These engines are so complicated and a lot of software is implemented.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I triggered [the problem] first and then I looked in my mirror, I was like, &#8216;Wait, are they waiting for me or what&#8217;s going [on]&#8230;?&#8217; It was like the Lego race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Verstappen was referring to a show run in battery-powered Lego F1 cars that was held before the British Grand Prix in July.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Hamilton, sitting beside Verstappen in the post-race news conference after finishing third, interjected to say: &#8220;Yeah, we had the same speed. I had to stop on track and stop the car and engine and restart it. I&#8217;ve never done that before.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Verstappen added: &#8220;It was insane. Like, it&#8217;s the Lego power. At some point we were five-wide on the straight because we couldn&#8217;t understand what was going on. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Then we did a lap and then I see eight other cars crawling still, and I saw you (Hamilton) by yourself crawling. That&#8217;s not what you want, right, for the sport.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mercedes driver George Russell, who retired from the race with an engine failure, said: &#8220;It didn&#8217;t feel very F1.&#8221;\u2028<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Nikolas Tombazis, the single-seater director for governing body the FIA said there would be a full investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The issue arose, he added, because, while the software had been tested, it had not been tested in these specific conditions. Largely because there has been so little running in the wet this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Cars are complicated,&#8221; Tombazis said. &#8220;We would all like it to be simpler, but when you have electrical energy and combustion energy all working together, and obviously when you want to ensure that there&#8217;s sporting fairness between the teams, that is complicated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We haven&#8217;t done a full debrief of the situation and see how we can avoid such an issue. Every race, we have a long debrief afterwards, where we identify criticalities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Obviously, that was a major criticality, and we need to make sure we avoid it. Can I guarantee it will never happen again? This specific problem, yes. A problem, no, but we will do our best to avoid it, of course.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This is far from the first issue created by the huge complexity of the latest hybrid engines introduced this year, with their near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Because the engines are fundamentally energy starved, and so cannot deploy their full combined power output at all times, a series of complexities were added into the management of the engines to try to sticking-plaster solutions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Many of these led to the counter-intuitive driving about which many of the sport&#8217;s stars have been complaining all season &#8211; and more changes have been added since.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Off-track conversation has been dominated by this all year, and rules are changing for next year to alter the energy split to try to ameliorate the issue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said: &#8220;What happened at the start obviously is not ideal in terms of presentation of the sport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;But at the same time it is the first year of new regulations, quite complex from a regulatory point of view, and it was also the first time we started in such conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;So we have to concede that F1 has done an excellent job in making some new regulations that came with some question marks from a power-unit behaviour point of view when it came to racing for instance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We have to acknowledge there has been really good work to make the show and racing work, and if there are some glitches occasionally, we have to accept they are glitches for everyone, be supportive and make sure it doesn&#8217;t happen again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The problem had a secondary consequence &#8211; the field order was jumbled up, and one reading of the rules could have meant the grid order should change for any restart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But while the FIA&#8217;s software engineers were rewriting the code as fast as possible, it was determined that, as this situation had never occurred before, and as the problem was out of any competitor&#8217;s control, the most appropriate order was to revert to the original grid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord said: &#8220;If you think of the millions of people watching around the world, they tune in for the start and suddenly the cars are all in a jumbled up order because of something that happened 40 minutes earlier and it was behind a safety car on a formation lap. That would have been a much harder thing to explain than resetting and then going from where we did.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"storyboard\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<section aria-labelledby=\"storyboard-5-image-gallery\" class=\"ssrcss-1syjlyd-ImageGallerySection e47idof9\"><span id=\"storyboard-5-image-gallery\" class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image gallery<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-z9ffh5-StyledAccessibilityLinks e47idof8\">Skip image gallery<\/span><\/p>\n<ol tabindex=\"0\" class=\"ssrcss-1asp21u-Gallery e47idof7\">\n<li aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"storyboard-5-slide0\" class=\"ssrcss-1kcac0m-Slide e47idof6\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-quop55-ContainerWithBackground e47idof5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15ijjmi-ContentPositioning e47idof4\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-195lu2g-ImageContainer e47idof3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1f43yvp-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/c9e0\/live\/448f31b0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/c9e0\/live\/448f31b0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/c9e0\/live\/448f31b0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/c9e0\/live\/448f31b0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/c9e0\/live\/448f31b0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/c9e0\/live\/448f31b0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-xh389s-StyledFigureCaption e196ruog0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">An entertaining race started an hour and half late following rain and computation delays<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"storyboard-5-slide1\" class=\"ssrcss-1kcac0m-Slide e47idof6\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7b8elv-ContainerWithBackground e47idof5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15ijjmi-ContentPositioning e47idof4\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-195lu2g-ImageContainer e47idof3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-nh7x1a-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/787d\/live\/698663d0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/787d\/live\/698663d0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/787d\/live\/698663d0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/787d\/live\/698663d0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/787d\/live\/698663d0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/787d\/live\/698663d0-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-xh389s-StyledFigureCaption e196ruog0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A record crowd loved it<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"storyboard-5-slide2\" class=\"ssrcss-1kcac0m-Slide e47idof6\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-a3d3at-ContainerWithBackground e47idof5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15ijjmi-ContentPositioning e47idof4\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-195lu2g-ImageContainer e47idof3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1f43yvp-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/9731\/live\/84d9a110-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/9731\/live\/84d9a110-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/9731\/live\/84d9a110-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/9731\/live\/84d9a110-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/9731\/live\/84d9a110-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/9731\/live\/84d9a110-c014-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-xh389s-StyledFigureCaption e196ruog0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Several others, including Alex Albon, didn&#8217;t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div hidden class=\"ssrcss-g0cdwt-StyledControls e47idof2\">\n<p data-testid=\"storyboard-5-current-entry\" class=\"ssrcss-16dkdda-CurrentEntry e47idof0\">1 of 3<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1avon3o-Buttons e47idof1\"><button type=\"button\" disabled data-testid=\"storyboard-5-back-button\" class=\"ssrcss-4x6lxc-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"arrows:chevron-left\" class=\"ssrcss-lymy45-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Previous image<\/span><\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-testid=\"storyboard-5-forward-button\" class=\"ssrcss-4x6lxc-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"arrows:chevron-right\" class=\"ssrcss-lymy45-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Next image<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"storyboard-5-live-region\" id=\"storyboard-5-live-region\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\"><span role=\"text\">Slide1 of 3, Bahrain GP in Malaysia, An entertaining race started an hour and half late following rain and computation delays<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">\n<div id=\"storyboard-5-end-of-image-gallery\" tabindex=\"-1\">End of image gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Verstappens-amazing-win-crowns-Red-Bull-comeback\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Verstappen&#8217;s &#8216;amazing&#8217; win crowns Red Bull comeback<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"media\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" class=\"ssrcss-dtyrnv-MediaPlayerWrapper e1h75hkw2\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1553su4-ErrorMessage eitf6465\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h7lv7m-StyledInnerContainer eitf6464\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nbxsk2-TextContent eitf6461\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This video can not be played<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Figure caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mercedes better &#8216;watch out &#8211; Verstappen &#8216;imperious&#8217;  in Bahrain GP win<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Amazing&#8221; was the word Verstappen chose to describe his and Red Bull&#8217;s first win of the 2026 season at a chaotic, bizarre and, in some ways, unprecedented race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It would be wrong to say the victory was a complete surprise, as it came after three consecutive podium finishes in which the four-time champion appeared to be edging closer and closer to such an achievement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But it certainly adds a fresh twist to a season of fluctuating fortunes at the front, in which the only real constant has been Kimi Antonelli, as the championship heads into its final stretch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It was Verstappen&#8217;s 72nd victory and it came in a manner entirely familiar to those who have followed his career &#8211; but entirely unfamiliar to this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Dutchman was the man all weekend at Sepang, where Verstappen also won the last time the track held a race in 2017. As early as Friday afternoon his rivals were all saying he was going to be difficult to beat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He duly delivered a dominant win, which barely looked in doubt even through the chaos of a delayed start, software glitches caused by a bug in the mandated FIA engine settings that wreaked havoc for him and several other drivers on a formation lap, losing the lead to the two Mercedes off the line and a late safety car period.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">What was remarkable about that, though, is that until Malaysia not once so far this season had Verstappen had been in this position.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Red Bull started this year in a bit of a state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The fourth fastest car among the big four teams, it was debatable at times in the early races whether their car was even better than that of their junior team, Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">All year, Verstappen has been battling an inconsistent handling balance and there was doubt for some time as to whether he would even stay at Red Bull beyond this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Although contracted until the end of 2028, it was widely known there were performance-related clauses in his contract that allowed him to leave, and McLaren courted him in the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In the end, though. Verstappen decided to stay, saying he liked the environment at Red Bull, he had faith they would return to the front, and he did not mind a bit of extra work helping them do it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Those sentiments were expressed in an interview at the Italian Grand Prix a month ago. He finished third that weekend, but even that recently there was no indication a performance such as this was in the offing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But a trickle of upgrades in the past few races finally all came together with the introduction of a new floor in Baku, the weekend before Malaysia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There, awkward circumstances in qualifying left him eighth on the grid when by merit he would have been on the front row. But a late safety car closed up the field, and he spent the final stint right on the gearbox of George Russell&#8217;s leading Mercedes, and lost out on the win by less than 0.2secs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Malaysia proved that promise was more than a flash in the pan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We had a very complicated and tough start to the year with all sorts of problems and just not being competitive enough,&#8217; Verstappen said on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;But throughout the year, the team has been working very hard to understand our issues and bring good performance upgrades to the car and make it more driveable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Step by step, we&#8217;ve been getting closer and closer, and today, and of course especially this whole weekend, we&#8217;ve been really in good form. So, yeah, it&#8217;s amazing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There are six or seven races remaining, depending on whether F1 gets the security reassurances it needs to give it the final confidence to commit to the end of the season grands prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the context of the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On this basis, Verstappen could well be a factor in all of them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">If the championship battle had any jeopardy remaining in it, that would certainly up the ante. But Russell&#8217;s retirement from third place with an engine failure with five laps to go in Malaysia has pretty much eradicated that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Antonelli&#8217;s second place and Russell&#8217;s retirement extended the Italian&#8217;s lead to 84 points. With either 158 or 183 remaining in total, depending on how the season ends, that size of lead means only some kind of miraculous turn of events could turn the tide back in Russell&#8217;s favour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said: &#8220;I don&#8217;t need to say I think it&#8217;s gone, but, of course, it&#8217;s exceptionally unlikely and that&#8217;s just the reality.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I knew if I wanted to come back, I needed luck on my side. Unfortunately, I had luck not on my side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;So, you know, a three-point loss today being behind Kimi turned into an 18-point loss. Of course, if it was on the other side it would have been an 18-point gain. So it&#8217;s a real shame, but that&#8217;s just how it is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It&#8217;s not the first time an engine problem has robbed Russell of big points this year. But Antonelli has had his reliability issues, too, and to about the same level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The reality is that Antonelli has been the better performer this year &#8211; as he was again in Malaysia after his odd off weekend in Baku &#8211; and he will deserve the title when it comes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Russell-beyond-disappointment\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Russell &#8216;beyond disappointment&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">If the championship battle had any jeopardy remaining in it, that would certainly up the ante. But Russell&#8217;s retirement from third place with an engine failure with five laps to go in Malaysia has pretty much eradicated that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Antonelli&#8217;s second place and Russell&#8217;s retirement extended the Italian&#8217;s lead to 84 points. With either 158 or 183 remaining in total, depending on how the season ends, that size of lead means only some kind of miraculous turn of events could turn the tide back in Russell&#8217;s favour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t need to say I think it&#8217;s gone,&#8221; Russell said, &#8220;but, of course, it&#8217;s exceptionally unlikely and that&#8217;s just the reality.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I knew if I wanted to come back, I needed luck on my side. Unfortunately, I had luck not on my side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;So, you know, a three-point loss today being behind Kimi turned into an 18-point loss. Of course, if it was on the other side it would have been an 18-point gain. So it&#8217;s a real shame, but that&#8217;s just how it is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It&#8217;s not the first time an engine problem has robbed Russell of big points this year. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;You&#8217;ve almost got to laugh,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I&#8217;m beyond disappointment. It&#8217;s just so many times this season it&#8217;s happened. It&#8217;s a real shame. Of course, but just keep on fighting.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But Antonelli has had his reliability issues, too, and to about the same level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The reality, as Russell has acknowledged many times, is that Antonelli has been the better performer on balance this year &#8211; as he was again in Malaysia after his off weekend in Baku &#8211; and he will deserve the title when it comes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Formula 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"promoList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">More on this story<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-1ughxsy-List e880cno1\">\n<li>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-ccqz3i-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u1fh10-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-wg79iw-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6bmydz-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Verstappen wins Bahrain GP in Malaysia after long delays<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">1 day ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-rc2blw-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6f49\/live\/2354bb70-bffe-11f1-bc2e-018d645d8d21.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6f49\/live\/2354bb70-bffe-11f1-bc2e-018d645d8d21.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6f49\/live\/2354bb70-bffe-11f1-bc2e-018d645d8d21.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6f49\/live\/2354bb70-bffe-11f1-bc2e-018d645d8d21.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6f49\/live\/2354bb70-bffe-11f1-bc2e-018d645d8d21.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/6f49\/live\/2354bb70-bffe-11f1-bc2e-018d645d8d21.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-ccqz3i-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u1fh10-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-wg79iw-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6bmydz-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Andrew Benson Q&amp;A: Send us your questions<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">4 days ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-20s032-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/0892\/live\/e16baa60-f8ea-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/0892\/live\/e16baa60-f8ea-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0892\/live\/e16baa60-f8ea-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0892\/live\/e16baa60-f8ea-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/0892\/live\/e16baa60-f8ea-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/0892\/live\/e16baa60-f8ea-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/formula1\/articles\/cwg7x820k9xjo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/f0d8\/live\/b118f330-c013-11f1-b8fc-7927883c19e9.jpg&#8221;] Hamilton bemused after glitch turns F1 into &#8216;Lego race&#8217; Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s car lost all of its speed just before the race began By Andrew Benson F1 Correspondent Published 4 October 2026 Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton likened the effects of a software bug that affected multiple cars [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-2179746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2179746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2179746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2179746\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2179746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2179746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2179746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}