By: Now in its 22nd edition, the Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the most unmissable and established fixtures on the F1 calendar. The Sepang race (no, that is not a mistake...) delivered plenty of on-track action, owing to the controversial new rules and several unexpected twists, starting with the weather. Over the 55 laps that counted towards the world championship points, the battle for victory was straightforward, unlike the fight for the remaining places. At the end of the Bahraini GP, the 16th round of the 2026 season, Verstappen took victory for Red Bull, ahead of Antonelli’s Mercedes and Hamilton’s Ferrari.
Here are the ratings
Red Bull: 10
A solid weekend for Red Bull, claiming its first win as a constructor. On the rise, well done.
Verstappen: 10
A superb weekend for Max, capped by first place. The return of the... tiger of Malaysia.
Hadjar: 8
His race ends in P5. Fast and error-free. He does his job superbly. A shame about the finish.
Ferrari: 6
A weekend of ups and downs for Ferrari, between a tactical disaster and a recovery drive. They respond.
Leclerc: 7
A good weekend for Charles, fourth after a strong race. Little feeling with the SF-26...
Hamilton: 9
A superb weekend for Lewis, second after a heart-on-sleeve recovery drive. In excellent form.
Mercedes: 6
A poor showing from Mercedes, unreliable and with unconvincing upgrades. A misstep.
Russell: N.C.
George’s race cannot be rated, as his Mercedes let him down. Bad luck.
Antonelli: 7.5
A solid race after a poor qualifying for Kimi. Second, fortunate following his rival’s retirement.
Mclaren: 5
A black weekend for McLaren, which “throws away” points through incidents and a lack of pace. Needs reviewing.
Norris: 5.5
A dreadful weekend for Lando, ninth with little pace and bad luck. The McLaren is not delivering...
Piastri: 6.5
A passable weekend for Oscar, with a revised but insubstantial car. P6 was the maximum.
Aston Martin: 8
A strong weekend for Aston, with a good and reliable car. Valuable points.
Alonso: 9
Fernando fights with heart in an improving Aston. He capitalises on the incidents and takes P8. Superb.
Stroll: 7.5
A good race for Lance, with an Aston on the rise. P12 after some fine battles.
Alpine: 5
A poor performance from Alpine, with a slow car. Badly done; they need to put it all behind them.
Gasly: 5
His race ends towards the back, with little pace and ruthlessness. A shame, he will respond.
Colapinto: 6
In his second F1 season, he is improving, but at Sepang he can do little with a slow Alpine. He beats Gasly.
Racing Bulls: 8
A positive weekend for RB, with a fast car and both drivers in the points. Very well done.
Lindblad: 8
His race ends in the points, making the most of his opportunities. Behind Lawson, he does his job...
Lawson: 8.5
A gritty race from Liam, returning to VCARB with pace and no mistakes. Important points. P7.
Audi: 5.5
A mixed weekend for Audi, without points despite the incidents. Reliable, but lacking consistency...
Hulkenberg: 7
His race ends in P11, without flashes but with plenty of substance. He does what he can...
Bortoleto: 5.5
A poor day for Gabriel, out of the points in an Audi that was off the pace. Behind Hulk...
Haas: 5.5
A mediocre three days for Haas: passable in the race, but still outside the points. Ups and downs...
Ocon: 6.5
A good weekend for Esteban with a mediocre Haas. P15, after the sacking...
Bearman: 7
Ollie’s progress continues. He pushes, fights, but cannot convert it. The Haas does not help. P14.
Williams: 5
Williams fail to impress. Incidents leave them outside the points once again. Plenty of difficulties and errors.
Sainz: 6
A good weekend for Carlos, but no points with a struggling Williams. A shame.
Albon: N.C.
Alex’s day cannot be rated. He tries to fight, but the Williams does not help. Retirement.
Cadillac: 5
Cadillac’s difficult path continues, at the back and without points. Much work to do...
Perez: 6
He returns to F1, but the Cadillac does not help. He finishes last without any flashes or battles. It will be a long road.
Bottas: N.C.
He returns to F1 but makes no impact, hampered by a slow and unreliable Cadillac. Retired due to an error.
With the Bahrain GP now behind it, F1 will return in a week’s time at Marina Bay for the Singapore Grand Prix.
