Es ist sehr besonders für uns, hier zu gewinnen,
said Max Verstappen after breaking a 301-day winless streak by claiming victory at the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, on Sunday.
Max Verstappen Breaks 301-Day Winless Streak in Sepang
Max Verstappen ended a 301-day wait for his 72nd Formula 1 career victory on Sunday, securing first place at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was relocated to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia due to geopolitical disruptions in the Persian Gulf. The Red Bull Racing driver crossed the finish line 2.3 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, with Lewis Hamilton taking third place on the podium. The win marked Verstappen’s first triumph since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7, 2025.
Reflecting on the turbulent start to the campaign, Verstappen admitted that the team had faced severe hurdles beyond car performance. Wir hatten einen schwierigen Start ins Jahr mit allen möglichen Problemen, mehr als mangelnde Konkurrenzfähigkeit,
he noted, adding that many had doubted whether Red Bull could secure a victory this season. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies highlighted the milestone for the team’s new power unit project. Das ist ein besonderer Moment, denn das wird für immer der erste Sieg sein für die Red Bull Powertrains nach gerade einmal 16 Rennen,
Mekies told reporters, describing Verstappen’s performance as untouchable.
Software Bugs and Rain Disrupt the Opening Phase
The race in Sepang began under chaotic conditions following a heavy downpour that delayed the start by 45 minutes. Once the field rolled out for the formation lap, a widespread software bug paralyzed the hybrid power units of multiple cars. Verstappen reported over team radio that he could not accelerate in turn nine, forcing him to adjust his engine settings to clear the system glitch. The FIA subsequently mandated a further 45-minute suspension to implement a software patch across the grid.
When the race finally got underway on a damp surface, Verstappen suffered a dismal start when his clutch dropped and his revs plummeted, allowing both Mercedes cars to sweep past him. Der Motor ist mir komplett abgestorben,
Verstappen explained regarding the launch. Despite dropping to third behind the Silver Arrows and dealing with early duels involving Liam Lawson, the Red Bull RB22 quickly demonstrated superior pace as the track began to dry.
Red Bull Strategy Overcomes Tire and Safety Car Hurdles
While rival squads such as McLaren and Ferrari flirted with slick tires on the drying asphalt, Red Bull kept Verstappen on intermediate tires, avoiding strategic missteps. Throughout the 55-lap encounter, repeated safety car interventions bunched the field together and demanded precise tactical decisions. Verstappen praised his engineering crew for maintaining composure through multiple restarts. Das Rennen war ziemlich schwierig. Es war nicht leicht, weil wir so viele Entscheidungen treffen mussten, vor allem mit dem Safety Car am Ende,
he stated.
The race victory also carried historical weight. Verstappen joined Michael Schumacher (1992–2006) and Lewis Hamilton (2007–2021) as the third driver in Formula 1 history to win at least one Grand Prix across ten consecutive seasons. The triumph also represented the first victory for the Red Bull Powertrains project, utilizing the DM01 engine named in honor of late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
George Russell Fume Over Late-Race Technical Failure
While celebrations unfolded in the Red Bull garage, George Russell was left lamenting another missed podium finish after suffering a terminal mechanical failure on lap 51, just four laps from the checkered flag. The British driver had been running strongly before the technical issue forced him to park his Mercedes. Irgendwann kann man nur noch lachen,
Russell remarked after the race. Über Enttäuschung bin ich hinaus. So oft in dieser Saison passiert irgendetwas.
With the retirement, Russell watched his teammate Kimi Antonelli extend a lead in the Drivers’ World Championship standings. Antonelli sits atop the championship table with 320 points, holding an 84-point advantage over Russell with only seven rounds remaining out of the 23-race calendar. Jos Verstappen, watching from the paddock with emotion visible in his eyes, told Sky Germany that the result provided a vital morale boost for the remainder of the year. Es geht wieder richtig bergauf,
the former F1 driver said. Es sollte gut aussehen für den Rest der Saison.
