Antonelli takes points lead from Norris after dramatic final lap in Bahrain

SAKHIR, Bahrain — Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed the 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship lead on Sunday after a stunning final-lap pass on Lando Norris at the Bahrain Grand Prix, capping a dramatic evening under the floodlights at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver, who had started fourth on the grid, hunted down a wounded Norris through the closing stint and dispatched the McLaren into Turn 1 on the 57th and final lap to take his second victory of the young 2026 season. Carlos Sainz Jr. brought his Williams home third, 6.9 seconds behind, for the team's first podium since the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix and its best back-to-back results since the 2017 Azerbaijan and Austrian Grands Prix.

Norris, the reigning world champion, had led 49 of the first 56 laps from pole but began complaining of brake imbalance with seven laps remaining. He clung on to second place, crossing the line 1.3 seconds behind Antonelli, but lost the championship lead by four points — Antonelli now sits on 77 to Norris's 73 in the drivers' standings.

"I just kept telling myself to be patient, lap after lap," Antonelli said in parc fermé, visibly emotional. "When I saw Lando struggling into Turn 10, I knew the moment would come. To leave Bahrain leading the championship — I don't have the words."

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Sky Sports F1 the result vindicated the team's faith in their young driver. "Kimi drove like a veteran today. He managed the C2 hards, managed himself, and was there when it mattered. We always knew he had this in him, and under the new 2026 regulations this car is giving him the platform to deliver."