Red Bull cautious on consistent F1 wins despite securing first victory of 2026

Red Bull Racing achieved its first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season as Max Verstappen took first place at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, which hosted this year's Bahrain Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, Verstappen converted his advantage into a comfortable win during a delayed race under mixed weather conditions in Kuala Lumpur. The result marked Verstappen's 72nd grand prix victory and the first for Red Bull as a power unit manufacturer.

Having trailed the frontrunners by over a second at the start of the campaign, Red Bull gradually reduced its deficit through a series of upgrades. Team principal Laurent Mekies noted that the victory confirmed a positive trend seen in Monza, Madrid, and Baku. However, Mekies suggested that external conditions in Sepang, such as extreme heat, track roughness, and layout, might have pushed several competing cars out of their ideal operating windows.

Red Bull became the fourth team to win a race in 2026, alongside Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren. Looking ahead to upcoming events, including Singapore which is expected to suit the car's slow-speed corner performance, Mekies expressed confidence in fighting for podium places. However, he added that consistently matching Mercedes for race victories on every circuit remains extremely difficult for any team on the grid.