Piastri Dominates Bahrain GP as Russell Denies McLaren 1-2

Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass under the lights of Sakhir to claim a dominant win at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, handing McLaren their third victory of the season and confirming his arrival as a true contender in the Formula 1 elite.

Starting from pole, the young Australian controlled the race from the front, expertly managing tyres, pace, and pressure to lead for the majority of the 57 laps.

It could have been a 1-2 finish for McLaren, but George Russell had other plans. The Mercedes driver held his nerve to defend P2 in the closing stages, keeping Lando Norris behind in a thrilling final-lap battle. Norris, the current championship leader, had earlier been handed a five-second time penalty for a jump start — a mistake that ultimately cost him the chance to challenge his teammate for the win.

Still, Norris showed tremendous pace, overtaking both Ferraris and fighting his way back to a strong podium finish. He now leads the drivers' standings but knows he left crucial points on the table in Bahrain.

It was a frustrating race for defending World Champion Max Verstappen, who struggled for grip and pace. The Red Bull ace could manage only sixth place — while his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda gave the team something to cheer about by finishing ninth and scoring his first points with the team.

Elsewhere, there were plenty of surprises in the midfield. Haas celebrated a rare double top-10 finish, with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman both impressing. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly earned Alpine their first points of the 2025 campaign with a solid drive to P7.

Bahrain GP - Race Results (Top 10)