Max Verstappen Claims 72nd Victory as Red Bull Racing Powertrain Secures First Win
Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking his 72nd career victory and the first win for the Red Bull Racing powertrain.
Verstappen Overcomes Start Issues to Win
Max Verstappen described his start as “horrendous,” stating that he experienced a total loss of power after dropping the clutch. He noted that the engine “completely died” on him, allowing two Mercedes drivers to move ahead immediately. Despite the initial setback, Verstappen attributed his recovery to the team’s decision to start on intermediate tires, which he called the right call.
The victory ended a 309-day winless streak for the driver. He noted that while the race remained complicated due to the late Safety Car, the team maintained control through their tire strategy.
Red Bull Racing Debuts In-House Engine Victory
The race marked a historical milestone for Red Bull Racing as the first victory for the team’s own power unit. The powertrain project was initiated by the late Dietrich Mateschitz and partner Yoovidhya. Verstappen called the achievement “incredible,” highlighting the effort of the partners and dedicated staff involved in the project’s first year of competition.
Antonelli and Hamilton Secure Podium Positions
Kimi Antonelli finished in second place, stating that P2 was the maximum result possible given the car’s current performance. Antonelli noted that Mercedes has been struggling more than usual but expressed satisfaction with the result and the support from the Malaysian fans.
Lewis Hamilton completed the podium in third place. Hamilton reported that he was once a minute behind the leaders after a poor initial strategy call, leading him to believe the race was over. He credited his recovery to the pit crew’s efficiency and a focused driving approach, describing this as the best race he has experienced at the venue due to the crowd’s energy.
Max Verstappen Wins the Bahrain Grand Prix
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
Common Questions Regarding the Malaysia Event
Why did Max Verstappen struggle at the start?
Verstappen reported that his engine completely died after he dropped the clutch, resulting in a lack of power that allowed other drivers to overtake him immediately.
What was the significance of the Red Bull powertrain?
This race delivered the first-ever victory for the power unit developed internally by Red Bull Racing, moving the team away from external engine suppliers.
How did Lewis Hamilton recover to finish third?
Despite being a minute behind early in the race due to an incorrect strategy call, Hamilton used efficient pit stops and consistent pace to climb back to the podium.
Verstappen’s 72nd win serves as the first successful outing for the Red Bull-built engine in a Grand Prix setting.
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