Kuala Lumpur:According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kimi Antonelli of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team acknowledged that second place was the best the team could manage at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix held at the Sepang International Circuit. The race saw Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen take his first win of the season in challenging conditions.

Antonelli noted that the team struggled to match the pace of Red Bull Racing throughout the weekend. The rough track surface and high temperatures at the Malaysian circuit added to the difficulties in assessing Mercedes' new package. He expressed hope for better insights during the Singapore GP, scheduled for October 9-11.

Mercedes had previously introduced an updated front wing and other components at the Canadian GP in May, aiming to enhance performance. The team continued to bring significant upgrades to the Bahrain GP in Malaysia to boost competitiveness.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton completed the podium in third place after overcoming early challenges. He initially faced difficulty with his decision to start on soft tyres but managed to recover as the track conditions improved. Strong pit stops and strategic decisions enabled him to climb back to the podium.

The current standings see Antonelli leading with 320 points, followed by teammate George Russell with 236 points, and Hamilton in third with 214 points. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari is fourth with 191 points, while Lando Norris of McLaren and Verstappen are tied for fifth with 188 points each.

The agreement to host the Bahrain GP in Malaysia was reached between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. This followed the cancellation of the race earlier in the season due to geopolitical tensions, ensuring its place on the 2026 F1 calendar. The Sepang International Circuit previously hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017.