Max Verstappen: Why Red Bull driver's victory at Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was so special

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.

How have Red Bull suddenly turned things around?

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.

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.”

A new Red Bull era

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.

However, Red Bull was somewhat in turmoil during Horner’s final years at the team due to a power struggle following the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.

Several key members left the team including legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey, chief engineering officer Rob Marshall, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, advisor Helmut Marko – and eventually Horner himself.

With it came question marks about Verstappen’s own future at the team in 2024 and 2025, particularly when his father Jos Verstappen fell out with Horner.

Laurent Mekies replaced Horner as team principal in July 2025 and the Verstappen camp appears to have a far more harmonious relationship with the Frenchman, with Max especially appreciating Mekies’ engineering background.

Twelve months ago, Red Bull suddenly found plenty of performance that saw Verstappen claim eight consecutive podiums, including four wins, to unexpectedly push Lando Norris close to the title.

How much of that was down to Mekies is hard to judge, given how quickly that step was made, but the development this year can certainly be put down to his leadership.

Mekies said following Verstappen’s win on Sunday: “The credit goes to all the people involved who have been working incredibly hard on this project over the past five years. Everyone in Milton Keynes and at the track deserves this moment and should celebrate it as an important step towards many more victories in the future.

“This result confirms the progress we have been making in recent months. We were already close several times, and today we converted that pace. The team has been working tirelessly to improve our package, and weekends like this are the reward for that effort.”

Verstappen’s new contract justified?

It’s far too early to say Verstappen has definitely made the right decision by committing his future to Red Bull, and this can only be truly answered in 2027.

However, it has become clear the combination of Mekies as team principal, trust in technical director Pierre Wache and chief performance engineer Ben Waterhouse – both of whom have been with Red Bull for over a decade – are key parts of the puzzle to effectively rebuild a new Red Bull era around Verstappen.

“Everyone is contributing a lot and always trying to find performance, upgrades and push the team forward,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.

“In Baku we were quick in the corners but not on the straights compared to Mercedes. In Malaysia, we were decent in the corners and quick on the straights.

“Sometimes we just need to understand the whole package – why we are quick, why we were not so quick and take it step by step.”

Red Bull have a history of developing their cars strongly and appear to be exhibiting that once more this season, so there’s no reason to think Verstappen won’t add to his 72 career wins during the seven remaining rounds.

Malaysia was just another reminder that the Red Bull-Verstappen combination is still an almighty force that was never likely to sleep for long, and may now be wide awake once more.

Formula 1 heads straight to Singapore for the last Sprint weekend of the season with track action starting this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

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