SEPANG, Oct 4 — Max Verstappen claimed his first victory of the Formula One season in a chaotic Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here today, winning a race that began 1hr 40min late and only at the second attempt after torrential rain hit Sepang.
The Red Bull driver had started from pole but made a poor getaway on intermediate tyres, allowing Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell to sweep past him in the wet opening laps.
The race turned in Verstappen’s favour after Valtteri Bottas spun into the gravel on lap nine, bringing out the safety car as the rapidly drying circuit prompted most of the field to switch to slick tyres.
Verstappen took advantage of the restart to pass Antonelli and Russell before opening up a comfortable lead he would not relinquish.
