Key Highlights:
- Max Verstappen secured his and Red Bull Racing’s first victory of the 2026 season in a rain-affected, dramatic race.
- The triumph marks the historic first-ever Formula 1 win for Red Bull Ford Powertrains in its inaugural year as a power unit supplier.
- Verstappen overcame an early power delay and lost positions to Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell before fighting back to take the chequered flag.
Max Verstappen Claims Historic First Victory for Red Bull Ford Powertrains
Max Verstappen expressed that he was left feeling incredibly proud
of Red Bull Racing after clinching a milestone victory, securing both his and the outfit’s maiden triumph of the campaign. The breakthrough result was doubly historic, representing the very first Formula 1 win for the newly introduced Red Bull Ford Powertrains department.
The weekend had initially aligned in Verstappen’s favor when he demonstrated supreme pace to lock down pole position during Saturday’s Qualifying session. However, Sunday’s main event presented an unpredictable challenge. Torrential rainfall delayed the initial start of the race, causing numerous competitors to struggle to maintain required speeds and drop out of their positions on the formation lap, ultimately prompting race officials to suspend the start procedure.
Battling Through Hectic Conditions and Early Power Delays
When racing finally commenced under tricky, mixed track conditions, Verstappen faced an immediate setback. Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell capitalized on the Red Bull’s sluggish getaway to overtake the Dutchman. Despite slipping down the order in the opening stages, Verstappen kept his composure as the track evolved.
Reflecting on the turbulent beginning of the Grand Prix, the 29-year-old racer explained the cockpit hurdles he faced: It was very hectic with a lot of different things in the start,
he explained. No power, so you have to wait for the power to kick in. But then we made the right call with the intermediate [tyres], and after that, step by step, we moved our way forward.
Verstappen expertly carved his way past the Mercedes challengers to reclaim the top spot. Once back out in front, he orchestrated his pace through late-race interruptions—including both a Virtual Safety Car and a full Safety Car deployment—to cross the finish line in first place and earn his 72nd career Grand Prix victory.
From there onwards we could do our own race until the end again, of course with the Safety Car, but we kept it all under control,
Verstappen noted.
Reflecting on a Landmark 72nd Career Win
When questioned in the post-race debrief whether this 72nd career victory felt like his sweetest, Verstappen welcomed the milestone with enthusiasm. 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.
Beyond the personal accolade, the result served as a monumental engineering milestone for the Milton Keynes-based squad, which took on engine manufacturing responsibilities alongside partner Ford. Verstappen acknowledged the magnitude of winning with the bespoke engine package right out of the gate: It’s incredible,
the Dutch driver conceded. I think already, of course, we started, and also to win our first race in our first year with our own power unit is pretty impressive.
Why This Matters
Red Bull’s transition to manufacturing its own engines alongside Ford represents one of the most ambitious engineering programs in modern Formula 1 history. Delivering an early victory silences early skepticism regarding the reliability and outright competitiveness of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains project. Proving that the in-house power unit can fight through mixed-weather hurdles, overcome starting grid deficits, and defeat rival frontrunners like Mercedes positions Verstappen and Red Bull firmly in contention as the championship battle progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What historic milestone did Red Bull Ford Powertrains reach?
The victory marks the first Grand Prix win for Red Bull Ford Powertrains during its debut season operating as an independent Formula 1 power unit supplier.
What challenges did Max Verstappen face during the Grand Prix?
Verstappen navigated through heavy pre-race rain, an aborted initial start, an early engine power delivery lag, and losing track position to Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell before executing a winning strategy on intermediate tires.
How many career Formula 1 race wins does Max Verstappen have now?
This result marked Max Verstappen’s 72nd career Formula 1 victory.
