Oscar Piastri put on a stellar performance in the qualifying session for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, securing the pole position for McLaren. The team, considered one of the favorites for the race, saw an unexpected level of competition, with Lando Norris, the current championship leader, qualifying in sixth place. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, struggled as well, finishing in seventh.
Mercedes Impress, Red Bull Struggles
George Russell, who qualified in second, made a strong challenge for pole but was handed a one-place grid penalty after exiting the garage too early following a red flag incident. As a result, Russell was moved back to third. Kimi Antonelli, who impressed with a fourth-place finish, also received a similar penalty, dropping him to fifth.
While Mercedes made a strong showing, Red Bull experienced several issues that hindered their performance. Verstappen, struggling with understeer and brake issues, had a difficult qualifying session. “There’s something really wrong with the car,” he said during the session, later adding that his brakes were “terrible.” Despite being just one point behind Norris in the championship standings, Verstappen faces a tough challenge as the team struggles with high-degradation conditions, echoing problems they experienced earlier in the season.
Piastri Delivers Under Pressure
McLaren dominated every practice session leading up to the qualifying, and Piastri continued that form when it counted. His final lap of 1:29.841 was enough to secure the top spot, narrowly beating Russell’s best time. “I’ve felt confident all weekend,” Piastri said after the session. “I wish the gap had been bigger, but I nailed the laps when it counted.”
Norris, on the other hand, was disappointed with his performance. A slow first sector cost him valuable time, and he admitted that he struggled with certain aspects of the MCL39, the McLaren car. “No idea what happened—just not quick enough,” he said. Despite his frustration, McLaren’s car is known for its strong race pace, particularly in managing tire wear. This gives Piastri a strong chance of converting his pole into a potential victory for McLaren at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Race Ahead: McLaren vs. The Field
With Piastri on pole, McLaren looks well-placed to secure their first-ever Bahrain Grand Prix win. However, Norris faces an uphill battle from sixth on the grid, aiming to fight for a podium finish. Verstappen, also starting from a less-than-ideal position, will need to minimize damage and hope for better conditions as the season progresses.
The struggles for Red Bull in Bahrain have mirrored issues seen in previous races, including Australia and Japan. Verstappen might once again find himself in a damage-limitation role as the team tries to address its weaknesses.
During the early runs of Q3, Piastri led the session, with Russell in second and Norris in third. As most drivers used worn tires in the final laps, Piastri responded after Russell briefly went fastest, reclaiming the top spot with a strong lap.
Qualifying Results
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:29.841
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) (after Russell’s penalty)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
Further down the grid, Jack Doohan (Alpine) qualified 11th, followed by Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin). Esteban Ocon was involved in a crash at Turn 2 but emerged unscathed, qualifying 15th. The rest of the grid saw Alex Albon in 16th, Liam Lawson in 17th, Gabriel Bortoleto in 18th, Lance Stroll in 19th, and Oliver Bearman in 20th.
McLaren’s Big Opportunity
With Piastri starting from pole, McLaren has a fantastic opportunity to secure their first victory in Bahrain. The team’s race pace, particularly in terms of tire management, could be key to maintaining their advantage throughout the race. If McLaren’s performance holds up, Sunday’s race could mark a turning point in the team’s resurgence and send a strong message to their rivals.
As the race approaches, all eyes will be on Piastri and McLaren, who have shown they are more than capable of challenging the front-runners. Can they convert pole position into their first win in Bahrain? The battle for the top spot is set to be a thrilling one.
