Five Formula 1 Winners & Losers: Bahrain (But Actually Malaysian) Grand Prix

Photo from Formula 1

After 9 long years, Formula 1 made its return to Malaysia under the banner of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is not able to happen due to the current war in Iran.

And boy, was it just a beautiful reminder of how amazing that race track is.

Here are the winners and losers from The Bahraysian Grand Prix.

(I don’t know. Workshopping it).

Losers

5. Lando Norris

It was far from the best weekend for Lando Norris, as the McLaren driver finished 9th and just barely earned points.

This was mostly not his fault due to poor strategy from McLaren, but he did almost smack into everyone during the safety car.

That’s pretty bad.

4. Valtteri Bottas

He’s trying to save his seat in the sport, but he was only able to go 7 laps before he crashed out of the race.

Why did he crash out? We’ll get to that later.

3. Williams

Williams really, really failed with this new era.

Alex Albon didn’t finish the race, and Carlos Sainz probably wishes he didn’t, finishing 17th in the race.

Just a terrible grand prix.

Terrible season, really.

2. George Russell

His hand is slipping off the title.

He was slower than Kimi Antonelli anyway, but he could at least minimize the damage.

That is, until his car broke down right at the end of the race, leaving him with nothing.

It was an uphill battle for him to win this title.

Now? It’s Mt. Everest.

1. FIA

Two things, FIA.

One, these engine regulations suck.

The cars straight up do not work during rain because the turbos can’t be spooled up because they aren’t going fast enough. They’ve made wet weather racing more or less impossible.

Second, go back to real race tracks.

I know, I know. Malaysia unfortunately has funding issues which is why it’s hard to race in Sepang. I get that.

But the race here was infinitely better than the races at Madrid, or in Miami, or in any of these city circuits F1 is adamant on making a thing.

Racing is better on race tracks.

It’s not rocket science.

Winners

5. Lance Stroll

For the first time this season, Lance Stroll finished a race on the lead lap!!!

A miracle has happened!!!

4. Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso got points again!!!

What a banner day for Aston Martin.

3. Kimi Antonelli

Kept it clean.

Finished 2nd.

Extended his championship lead.

Excellent weekend for the kid.

2. Lewis Hamilton

The last time we raced in Malaysia, Lewis Hamilton was in the middle of his historic Mercedes era.

This weekend, it felt like he was back into form, qualifying 2nd and finishing 3rd.

It felt kind of right, you know?

1. Max Verstappen

As it did with Max Verstappen starting on pole and winning the race, just like he did in 2017 when I watched it in my West Virginia apartment.

God, it felt so good for Formula 1 to be back at Malaysia.

I sincerely hope this is not the last time they are.