Max Verstappen secured the first Grand Prix victory for Red Bull’s power unit at the Sepang International Circuit, capping a technical climb that Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok described as “completely crazy” in a report detailed by F1 Maximaal.nl.
Verstappen wins first race with DM01 power unit
Verstappen dominated the weekend from the opening practice session through Sunday’s main race, delivering the first-ever win for the DM01 power unit built by Red Bull Ford Powertrains. This performance cemented a significant upward trajectory for the team following an engine issue during qualifying in Baku, where Verstappen fought through the field to challenge Mercedes driver George Russell in the closing stint. F1 Maximaal.nl reported that Chandhok praised the Dutchman’s speed, noting that Verstappen looked “absurdly good in form” throughout the Malaysian weekend.
The achievement marks a stark contrast to the team’s early-season struggles. The article noted that Red Bull began the 2026 campaign trailing pace-setters Mercedes by more than a second in qualifying. Team principal Laurent Mekies pointed out that Red Bull left races in Japan and China facing massive deficits before a concerted development push helped close the gap. By the time the paddock arrived in Sepang, Verstappen recorded a lap time of 1:29.561 in third practice, finishing just 0.278 seconds behind Kimi Antonelli and establishing Red Bull as a primary threat to Mercedes.
Building an Engine from the Ground Up
The journey to the DM01 power unit began on February 15, 2021, when Red Bull announced plans to construct its own engines rather than relying solely on external suppliers. Chandhok highlighted the immense skepticism that met the announcement, recalling how outsiders questioned an energy drink manufacturer attempting to build a Formula 1 power unit from scratch. The article noted that Chandhok described the initial infrastructure as practically non-existent, pointing out that engineers operated out of temporary Portakabin structures with only a handful of staff just six years ago.
Despite receiving support from Ford, Red Bull had to recruit top-tier talent away from rival outfits. Ben Hodgkinson joined from Mercedes as head of the powertrain division, though a competition clause delayed his arrival until May 2022, followed by Phil Prew in August 2022. The workforce swelled from zero to approximately 700 employees over a five-year span. Chandhok asserted that Red Bull has effectively engineered the second-best power unit on the grid, outperforming established automotive giants like Audi, Honda, and Ferrari under the current technical regulations.
Hodgkinson describes emotional toll of engine development
The magnitude of the engineering feat often goes underappreciated by casual observers because power units and battery systems remain hidden beneath the bodywork. Chandhok emphasized that public praise usually flows toward Red Bull Racing as a chassis constructor rather than acknowledging Red Bull Ford Powertrains. During a conversation in Baku, Ben Hodgkinson shared with the analyst just how emotionally taxing the development cycle proved for everyone involved.
When Verstappen crossed the line to win in Malaysia, Chandhok reached out to Hodgkinson to offer congratulations. The powertrain chief responded that the result triggered an outpouring of emotion across the entire factory floor in Milton Keynes, validating five years of intense labor to transition from an empty blueprint to a race-winning manufacturer. The article observed that the victory brings Red Bull closer to matching Mercedes’ historical win tallies, injecting fresh tension into the closing rounds of the championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Red Bull officially announce its engine manufacturing project? Red Bull made the announcement on February 15, 2021, setting in motion the creation of Red Bull Ford Powertrains to design power units for the current regulatory era.
Which key personnel moved from Mercedes to lead the Red Bull powertrain division? Ben Hodgkinson arrived as the head of the department, with his employment starting in May 2022 following a competition clause, while Phil Prew joined the technical leadership team in August 2022.
How many victories does Max Verstappen have for Red Bull? Max Verstappen has accumulated 72 Grand Prix victories while driving for Red Bull Racing, with the Malaysian Grand Prix marking the historic first triumph for the team’s proprietary DM01 power unit.
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