News Summary
- Verstappen’s Sepang victory ends Ford’s wait for an F1 win stretching back to 2003.
- The American manufacturer’s previous success came with Giancarlo Fisichella and Jordan at Interlagos.
- Ford’s current involvement is through its technical partnership with Red Bull Powertrains.
Ford returned to the Formula 1 winners’ circle after a 23-year wait as Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday. The result marks the first Grand Prix victory for the Red Bull Ford Powertrains partnership, which entered competition under the new regulations in 2026.
Verstappen finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton in a disrupted Sepang race, securing his first victory of the season. His Malaysian success followed rain delays, technical problems and two Safety Car periods, giving Ford’s latest chapter in the championship its first winning result.
The manufacturer’s previous Formula 1 victory came at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, when Giancarlo Fisichella won for Jordan-Ford. Ford identifies that Interlagos result as its last win before the current return.
From Jordan-Ford to Red Bull Ford Powertrains
The two victories belong to different technical eras and different partnerships. Fisichella’s Jordan used a Ford-badged Cosworth engine, whereas Verstappen’s current power unit comes from Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
Ford announced its technical partnership with Red Bull in 2023, with the programme built around the regulations introduced for 2026. The agreement covers collaboration on the new power unit, combining combustion and hybrid technology.
That distinction matters when describing the milestone. Sepang represents Ford’s return to winning through its partnership with Red Bull, while also giving the Red Bull Ford Powertrains project its first Grand Prix victory.
A winning return after Ford’s 2004 departure
Ford’s previous involvement ended after the 2004 season, when it sold Jaguar Racing to Red Bull. More than two decades later, the American manufacturer returned alongside the organisation that grew out of that acquisition.
The historical connection gives Sunday’s result an additional dimension: Ford is now celebrating with the team that took over its former Formula 1 operation.
Verstappen supplied the breakthrough after starting from pole, losing two positions at the start and then recovering the lead. He eventually beat Antonelli by 2.307 seconds, while Hamilton completed the podium.
The win also continues Ford’s long association with successful Formula 1 engine programmes. Its earlier partnership with Cosworth produced the DFV, one of the championship’s most influential engines, before later projects carried the manufacturer’s involvement into the 1990s and early 2000s.
Sepang now provides the first winning entry in its latest partnership, with Red Bull and Ford taking that momentum into the next round.
Formula 1 returns next weekend, from 9–11 October, for the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action.
F1 today: FAQ
Who won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?
Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang on Sunday, 4 October, taking his first victory of the 2026 F1 season. Kimi Antonelli finished second, with Lewis Hamilton completing the podium.
Why was the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia delayed?
Heavy rain initially delayed the start at Sepang. Several drivers then experienced power delivery problems during the formation procedure, forcing race control to suspend the start again. The race eventually began more than 90 minutes after its scheduled time.
How far ahead is Kimi Antonelli in the F1 championship?
Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 84 points after finishing second at Sepang while his Mercedes teammate retired. Antonelli has 320 points, Russell has 236 and Lewis Hamilton is third with 214.
When did Ford last win in F1 before Verstappen’s Sepang victory?
Ford’s previous victory came at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, won by Giancarlo Fisichella driving for Jordan-Ford.
