Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on October 4, delivering Red Bull’s first victory of the 2026 season. After rain and an interrupted starting procedure, the Dutchman finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.

It was hardly a straightforward conversion from pole. Both Mercedes drivers passed Verstappen at the start, but choosing intermediates kept him in contention. Red Bull then switched to soft slicks as conditions improved, allowing Max to regain control and withstand the final Safety Car intervention.

The result also marks the first win for Red Bull Ford Powertrains. For a project that began the new regulations with substantial difficulties, the significance goes beyond 25 points. Motorsport.com highlights the car’s development and the Baku upgrade as factors in restoring Verstappen’s confidence.

Sepang has given Red Bull something to celebrate. Whether the team can reproduce that performance across different circuits is the question that comes next.

Sources: Formula1.com · Motorsport.com · Motorsport.com