Formula 1 returns to a fan-favourite circuit this weekend as the Sepang circuit in Malaysia hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix in a one-off event.
George Russell got his season back on track with a first victory in three months at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last time out, pipping Max Verstappen to the line to narrow the deficit on championship leader and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli to 66 points.
Antonelli, who crashed out of qualifying, recovered from the back of the grid to finish fifth while Isack Hadjar joined Verstappen on the podium on a positive day for Red Bull. However, it was a tricky day for McLaren and Ferrari, who both struggled for form and pace.
As for this weekend, Bahrain’s original grand prix date in April was cancelled due to the war in the Middle East. The Gulf country have, however, opted to pay the hosting fees to have their name attached to Sepang’s return to the calendar for the first time in nine years this weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Driver standings after Bahrain GP
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 320 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 236 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 214 points
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 188 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 191 points
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 188 points
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 128 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 96 points
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 65 points
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 41 points
11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 38 points
12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 27 points
13. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 20 points
14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 10 points
15. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 7 points
16. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 7 points
17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 7 points
18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 6 points
19. Alex Albon (Williams) - 5 points
20. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) - 1 point
21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points
23. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points
Driver standings after Bahrain GP (TBC)
1. Mercedes - 538 points
2. Ferrari - 378 points
3. McLaren - 306 points
4. Red Bull - 263 points
5. Racing Bulls - 83 points
6. Alpine - 68 points
7. Haas - 27 points
8. Audi - 17 points
9. Williams - 12 points
10. Aston Martin - 3 points
11. Cadillac - 0 points
What is the 2026 race calendar?
ROUND 16 - MALAYSIA/BAHRAIN
Sepang International Circuit - 2-4 October
ROUND 17 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October
ROUND 18 - UNITED STATES
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October
ROUND 19 - MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November
ROUND 20 - BRAZIL
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November
ROUND 21 - LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November
ROUND 22 - QATAR
Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November
ROUND 23 - ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December
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