Can Red Bull now fight for wins everywhere? "It's difficult to be on par with Mercedes consistently"

Max Verstappen achieved Red Bull Racing's first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Malaysian Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone as it was also the team's first win as a power unit manufacturer. Team principal Laurent Mekies expressed optimism about the team's performance, noting their gradual improvement throughout the season after starting over a second behind the frontrunners.

Despite the positive trend, Mekies cautioned that it is still uncertain whether Red Bull can consistently compete for wins at all circuits, as Mercedes has historically been a dominant force. He highlighted the need for the team to adapt to varying conditions and track layouts while remaining focused on extracting more performance from their car in upcoming races.