F1 judges’ Power Rankings: Verstappen leads after Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as Alonso, Hamilton and Lawson shine

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Max Verstappen delivered a dominant Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, prompting Formula 1 judges to place the Red Bull driver at the top of its Power Rankings. According to the league’s evaluation after the race at Sepang International Circuit, the Dutchman was given unanimous 10/10 scores as he converted pole into victory using recent updates and mastering changing conditions on Sunday.

The F1 judges pointed to Alonso as the next standout in their assessment. Despite starting from a low point on the grid after securing only P12, Fernando Alonso turned a wet/dry race day into a strong result, finishing P8. Formula 1 described it as a “big step in the right direction” for Aston Martin and Honda’s 2026 partnership, framing Alonso’s experience as a key factor in extracting performance under difficult changing weather.

Lewis Hamilton’s Bahrain Grand Prix was highlighted as another major judge talking point, but with a dramatic early reversal. After drawing P2 on the grid, Hamilton dropped to P17 at the end of the first lap following a gamble to start on slick tyres that did not work out as the race began. As the track dried, Formula 1 said Hamilton recovered rapidly, including passing Isack Hadjar for the final podium spot late in the race to secure a top-three finish.

Liam Lawson’s performance also caught the judges’ attention. The Racing Bulls driver started 11th and, as intermediates were in play, climbed to P4. Formula 1 noted that he had wheel-to-wheel moments with Verstappen during the damp-to-dry transition, before conditions and pace gaps made it difficult to stay with the front. Lawson still finished seventh, a result Formula 1 described as a strong reward and a further boost for Racing Bulls’ fight for P5 in the standings against Alpine.

Mercedes’ weekend, as characterized by Formula 1 judges, centred on both car understanding and reliability at a hot, demanding Sepang. Kimi Antonelli salvaged fourth in qualifying, which became third after Hadjar received an engine-related penalty. Formula 1 said Antonelli then led at the start before settling for second behind Verstappen, while teammate George Russell suffered a late stop that helped Antonelli extend Mercedes’ point advantage. Formula 1 also reported that Russell’s retirement increased Antonelli’s lead in the championship to 84 points.

Isack Hadjar’s Bahrain weekend continued a recent pattern of recovery from setbacks, which Formula 1 judges referenced as context. After returning to action from a wrist injury on Baku’s streets, Hadjar had delivered a podium; the league described his Sepang follow-through as similarly strong. In Malaysia, Formula 1 said he took third in qualifying (before his penalty) and maintained the promise of another rostrum in tricky wet/dry conditions, ultimately finishing fifth as the pace softened in the second half of the race.

Arvid Lindblad’s rise from the back of the grid stood out for the judges as a “massive recovery drive.” Formula 1 said Lindblad took new power unit elements and dropped to the very rear, then made up 13 places on the first lap alone. After the shift from intermediates to slicks—along with Safety Cars, restarts and other race interruptions—Formula 1 reported a late move on Nico Hulkenberg that secured Racing Bulls another important point.

Hulkenberg, despite being recognized for moving forward from 15th into points, ultimately missed out. Formula 1 said Lindblad and McLaren’s Lando Norris—who overtook Hulkenberg after an off-track excursion behind a Safety Car—both managed to sneak past in the closing laps, denying the German a reward he has “narrowly missed out on” at multiple points this season.

The judges also drew attention to driver changes and major position swings. Formula 1 noted that Esteban Ocon announced he would be leaving Haas at the end of the 2026 season ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Starting 17th behind Ollie Bearman, Ocon climbed as high as P7 and remained in the top 10 early, before his and Haas’ pace faded as conditions dried. Still, Formula 1 said the result offered another glimpse of his capability.

Carlos Sainz was described as another first-lap mover. After yet another Q2 appearance, he started 13th and rose to sixth early, but Formula 1 said his bid for points was ended when Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto spun him exiting Turn 2 as the race conditions continued to dry. Formula 1 characterized that incident as effectively ending Sainz’s chances immediately.

Formula 1’s Power Rankings write-up also listed who narrowly missed the top-10 cut. Lance Stroll and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (who finished P6) were both mentioned, as was George Russell, who Formula 1 said had been on course for a podium before the late setback that ultimately changed his weekend outcome. Note: the source provided does not include the full numerical table or the complete overall leaderboard positions beyond Verstappen’s 10/10, so the exact scoring for each driver cannot be verified from the supplied material.