Max Verstappen Proudly Celebrates Red Bull's First 2026 Win in Malaysia

Max Verstappen stood atop the podium once again, basking in the glory of his and Red Bull's first win of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Dutch driver was understandably "incredibly proud" of the team, especially as this victory marked the first for Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

Despite a pole position start, Verstappen's race wasn't without its challenges. The event saw a delayed start due to heavy rain, and Verstappen found himself overtaken by the Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell when the race eventually began. However, Verstappen, true to form, navigated back to the front and controlled the race through a Virtual Safety Car and a full Safety Car phase, clinching his 72nd career win.

Reflecting on the race, Verstappen admitted, "It’s a really nice one, after the year that we’ve had and the progression that we’ve made. I’m incredibly proud of everyone, and it’s just super nice to win here." The 29-year-old detailed the early struggles, noting the chaotic start and the clever choice to switch to intermediate tyres, which helped him reclaim the lead.

Verstappen also highlighted the significance of Red Bull Powertrains' maiden win, saying, "It's incredible. To win our first race in our first year with our own power unit is pretty impressive." Indeed, Red Bull's engineering prowess was on full display, making a strong statement for the rest of the season.

As the team celebrates this historic achievement, the focus will undoubtedly shift to maintaining momentum and continuing to harness the potential of their new power unit. For Verstappen and Red Bull, the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is a promising start, hinting at exciting prospects for the races ahead.