Verstappen wins Bahrain GP, delivers historic first victory for Red Bull’s own power unit

• Courtesy of F1

Max Verstappen secured victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday, Oct. 4, marking a major milestone for Red Bull Racing as the team claimed its first race win with its own power unit.

The Dutch driver crossed the finish line in 1:47:14.808, finishing 2.307 seconds ahead of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton completed the podium, 4.919 seconds behind the winner.

The victory marks a significant achievement for Red Bull’s power unit program, which entered a new chapter in 2026 with the introduction of its own engine developed in partnership with Ford.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen highlighted the significance of winning in the team’s first season with its own power unit.

“To win our first race in our first year with our own power unit, it’s pretty impressive,” Verstappen said.

Ferrari takes third and fourth

Hamilton led Ferrari’s charge with a third-place finish, followed by teammate Charles Leclerc in fourth, 7.258 seconds behind Verstappen.

Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar secured fifth place, giving the team two drivers inside the top five.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished sixth, followed by Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson in seventh and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in eighth.

Defending world champion Lando Norris finished ninth for McLaren, while Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10.

Mercedes, Williams and Cadillac suffer retirements

While Antonelli delivered a podium finish for Mercedes, teammate George Russell failed to finish the race.

Williams driver Alex Albon and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas were also listed among the retirements.

A major milestone for Red Bull

Beyond Verstappen’s victory, the result represents an important breakthrough for Red Bull’s engine development program.

After years of relying on external engine suppliers, Red Bull entered the 2026 season with its own power unit, developed through Red Bull Powertrains in collaboration with Ford.

Winning a Grand Prix in its first season with the new power unit demonstrates the team’s progress in one of Formula 1’s most technically demanding areas.

With Verstappen taking victory and Hadjar finishing fifth, Red Bull secured a strong result as the team continues developing its new-generation power unit under Formula 1’s 2026 technical regulations.