Max Verstappen secured a pole‑to‑flag triumph at the Formula 1 Malaysia GP, becoming the first driver to win for Red Bull’s nascent Ford Powertrains.
Red Bull’s historic debut
Verstappen’s victory, the 72nd of his career, also marked the first win for Ford‑affiliated power units, validating the partnership after his extension to 2030. The RBPT team in Milton Keynes, alongside Ford and Chief Christian Horner, celebrated the milestone at Sepang’s smooth tarmac.
Mercedes struggles on a drying circuit
Mercedes’ upgraded W17 failed to keep pace amid Sepang’s demanding wet‑to‑dry transition. The W17’s higher downforce was countered by increased drag, leaving the car slower on straights. George Russell’s power‑unit failure mid‑race further dented Mercedes’ points haul and pushed his title prospects further from the podium.
Hamilton’s slick gamble pays off
Lewis Hamilton, starting on slicks on a slowly drying track, was forced to downgrade to medium tyres after an early pit stop. A safety‑car restart enabled the seven‑time champion to climb to third position. Hamilton later criticised the tyre strategy, suggesting it should be re‑evaluated before the next weekend.
Midfield contenders find footing
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Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson capitalised on a clear strategy to finish within the points, reinforcing his position ahead of the 2025 driver decision between him and Nikola Tsolov.
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Arvid Lindblad, despite an engine penalty, secured a final‑lap point by overtaking Nico Hulkenberg.
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Fernando Alonso recovered from a mid‑race safety‑car setback to score a vital point for Aston Martin, a balance taken from the Honda engine’s deficit that had exposed the team in Baku.
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McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, hampered by power‑unit questions and a circuit that stayed wet longer than expected, demonstrated sector‑specific improvements yet fell short of podiums.
Audi, Haas and Williams stuck in the midfield
Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg was rejected on the final lap when a safety‑car disrupted his timing, while Haas and Williams struggled to push past the midpack. The unpredictability of Sepang’s changing weather kept teams on their toes and highlighted the need for adaptable tyre strategies.
With the Singapore GP on the horizon—a circuit expected to favour high‑downforce vehicles—the Malaysia GP’s outcomes will shape the championship narrative and may tip the scale for contenders seeking a late‑season surge.
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