Throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season, Red Bull has reached the podium nine times with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but they took a significant leap forward at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. At the Sepang International Circuit, Verstappen secured Red Bull’s first win of the season, marking the inaugural victory for Red Bull Powertrains.
Verstappen not only won the race but also earned pole position on Saturday, while Hadjar initially qualified third before being dropped to eighth on the starting grid due to a penalty. After their triumph in Malaysia, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed confidence that the team will remain contenders for podium finishes in the upcoming races.
Nevertheless, Mekies acknowledged that Mercedes continues to be the benchmark, stating it remains “very difficult to consistently match Mercedes.” Reflecting on Malaysia, he said, “We were surprised by the pecking order. On one hand, it confirms the positive form we’ve shown since Monza, Madrid, and Baku, steadily improving race by race. On the other hand, factors like the extreme heat, track roughness, and circuit layout might have affected how cars performed, possibly influencing the race order.”
Regarding future strategy, Mekies added, “This doesn’t significantly alter our approach; we’ll adapt as best we can. We hope Singapore will favor us, especially with its slow-speed corners, though predicting what rivals will do is challenging.” He concluded, “We expect to remain in the hunt for podiums, having been competitive for several races now. Yet, Mercedes has consistently been the frontrunner for wins, and maintaining pace with them has been tough for everyone.”
Fan Take:
This breakthrough victory for Red Bull Powertrains signals a new level of competitiveness that could shake up the established hierarchy in Formula 1. For racing fans, it promises thrilling battles ahead as Red Bull pushes to close the gap on Mercedes, potentially making the 2026 season one of the most exciting in recent years.
Source: www.crash.net
