Mekies hails Red Bull’s first win as a power-unit maker; Hadjar misses podium

Laurent Mekies called Max Verstappen’s victory at Sepang a milestone: Red Bull’s first Formula 1 win as a power-unit manufacturer, together with Red Bull Ford Powertrains in the programme’s debut season. He credited the people in Milton Keynes and at the circuit who had spent five years working on the project.

Verstappen’s win was his first of the 2026 season and Red Bull’s first of the year. Starting from pole, he had both Mercedes ahead at the start, then recovered to dominate the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Mekies praised his control in often chaotic conditions and said the team had come close several times in recent months before finally converting its pace into a victory.

Isack Hadjar, meanwhile, looked set for third after George Russell’s late retirement. His pace dropped in the final laps after the safety-car restart, and he fell behind both Ferraris to finish fifth. Mekies said a problem with Hadjar’s car cost Red Bull a possible double podium. He praised Hadjar’s pace throughout the weekend, calling fifth a strong result from his starting position but frustrating because more had been possible.

Mekies said Red Bull would celebrate that evening, analyse what had happened the next day and then turn directly to Singapore.