Max Verstappen says his victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was a “really special and emotional moment” after Red Bull claimed their first win of 2026. Verstappen was at his imperious best as he mastered the mixed conditions and Safety Car restarts to beat championship leader Kimi Antonelli and maintain his streak of winning at least one race every season since joining Red Bull in 2016. Only two months ago, Verstappen's future was in the spotlight but he signed a new Red Bull contract during the summer break to stay with the team until at least the end of 2030, and Malaysia highlighted why the Dutchman had so much faith in the Milton Keynes squad.
Having come within two points of becoming a five-time world champion last year, it became clear Verstappen would be unable to challenge for the title this season for the first time since 2020. Red Bull, in collaboration with Ford, built their own power unit but it was actually the chassis which was a major weak point at the start of the season. In fact, the Red Bull-Ford engine was deemed to be the benchmark on the grid by the FIA after the first ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) review.
Verstappen has the ability to drive and get the most out of any racing car but even he struggled to have confidence in the unpredictable handling of the RB22 as he claimed just one podium in the opening seven races. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Red Bull brought a major upgrade package to June's Austrian Grand Prix which got rid of the car's excess weight and changed the aerodynamics. It had an immediate effect as Verstappen finished less than two seconds behind race-winner George Russell on his way to second, was on course for third a week later at Silverstone until his rear wing failed, and took two more podiums before the summer break in Belgium and Hungary.
A rare mistake at his home race in Zandvoort saw Verstappen crash out on the opening lap but he was back on the podium in Monza and Madrid. Red Bull brought more upgrades to Baku where Verstappen finished just two tenths behind Russell in Azerbaijan in F1's closest finish since 2002. Outside of his crashes at the British and Dutch Grands Prix, Verstappen has been on the podium in the other seven races since the Austria upgrades.
In some ways, his dominant weekend in Malaysia should not be a surprise because Red Bull have been on an upward trajectory. "We had a very complicated and tough start to the year with all sorts of problems and just not being competitive enough," said Verstappen. "But throughout the year, the team has been working very hard to understand our issues and bring good performance upgrades to the car and make it more driveable.
Step by step, we've been getting closer and closer, and Sunday, and of course especially this whole weekend, we've been really in good form, so it's amazing. "Very enjoyable to win here and also have our first victory for our own engine. It's an incredible project with a lot of partners and a lot of people that are dedicated to be where we are now, so a fantastic feeling." Much credit must go to former team principal Christian Horner for the success of Red Bull-Ford powertrains, the venture he set up that has delivered far above expectations during its first campaign as an engine manufacturer.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
