Punishment to Russell, Kimi is more leader and Alonso gains positions: this is how the F1 classification remains after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Kimi Antonelli It is unattainable. The title had already been given to him for careers. But in Sepang, the straw that broke the camel’s back fell. A new reliability problem in George Russell’s Mercedes forced George to retire when he was third after Kimi in the Bahrain GP in Malaysia disputed this Sunday and the Italian now has the title even more in his hands.

Kimi Antonelli now leads by 84 points with only seven races remaining. That is to say, he has more than 3 races ahead of George and could even abandon three races and still be the leader.

Hamilton and Russell, the fight to be runner-up tightens

In this way, now the ‘spicy’ goes on to fight for the runner-up position, with Lewis Hamilton closing in on Russell after being third in Sepang after making a very good comeback with his Ferrari.

Norris loses positions and Max does not rule out 2nd place

The seven-time champion is now 22 points behind George’s second place and the fight for second place in the F1 World Championship classification is tightening after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, just behind, Lando Norris, who made a serious mistake with an excursion in the middle of the final safety car, lost two places in the general classification. The world champion could not overtake a spectacular Fernando Alonso in the final laps and could only be 9th, a result that Leclerc and the winner of the day, Max Verstappen, took advantage of to overtake Lando.

So, Leclerc, with 191 points, is now 23 points behind his teammate Hamilton, with only a 3-point margin over Verstappen that after the great improvement of his Red Bull he can qualify for many victories between now and the end of the year, so the Dutchman could even continue to compete for runner-up if the good performance of his car is confirmed in this final part of the year.

Max also surpassed Lando in the Formula 1 World Championship classification, although he was tied on points with the current champion.

Max Verstappen is making a comeback in the overall standings of the F1 World Championship after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, in SepangAijaz Rahi / Ap-LaPresse

Fernando Alonso adds again

Another promotion that was seen in the World Championship classification after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia was that of Fernando Alonso. The Asturian had three points so far by taking advantage of the two tracks where he had had a chance to score points: Monaco and Zandvoort.

And this time, in Sepang, another great comeback and a Numantine defense against the champion Norris in the last laps with a worse car, gave him 4 more points for being 8th, his best result of the year. In this way, he went from occupying 19th place with 3 points, to climbing to 17th, tied at 7 points with several drivers, to 15th (Ocon).

SEPANG (Malaysia), 04/10/2026.- Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain competes in the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, in Sepang, Malaysia, 04 October 2026. (Formula One, Bahrain, Malaysia, Spain) EFE/EPA/ANNICE LYN / POOL
Fernando Alonso scores again in SepangANNICE LYN / EFE

That is, Fernando Alonso, with a car and an engine with many problems since the beginning of the course and with which he had to be at the back of the table for most of the year until the arrival of the new chassis, He is tied on points with drivers like Ocon (Haas), Hülkenberg (Audi), Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Albon (Williams), something that says a lot about Fernando’s resilience and his ability to be at his best at any moment to be able to take advantage of every opportunity in front of him.

The F1 classification after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia

1st Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes) 320 points

2nd George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 236 points

3rd Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari) 214 points

4th Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 191 points

5th Max Verstappen (PB/Red Bull) 188 points

6th Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 188 points

7th Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) 128 points

8th Isack Hadjar (FRA/Red Bull) 96 points

9th Liam Lawson (NZL/Red Bull) 65 points

10th Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) 41 points

11th Arvid Lindblad (GBR/Racing Bulls) 38 points

12th Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine) 27 points

13th Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas F1) 20 points

14th Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Audi) 10 points

15th Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas F1) 7 points

16th Nico Hülkenberg (ALE/Audi) 7 points

17th Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) 7 points

18th Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams) 7 points

19th Alexander Albon (THA/Williams) 5 points

20th Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls) 1 point

21st Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) 0 points

22nd Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Cadillac) 0 points

23rd Sergio Pérez (MEX/Cadillac) 0 points