Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass under the Bahrain night sky, converting his pole position into a flawless victory at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix—his second win of the season—while McLaren celebrated a stunning double podium. The young Australian, fresh off his Shanghai triumph, showcased maturity beyond his years, fending off fierce competition to secure the top step. Teammate Lando Norris joined him in third, marking McLaren’s first double podium since 2021 and signaling their resurgence as Formula 1’s dark horse.
Oscar Piastri’s commanding drive: From pole to dominance
Piastri’s weekend was a symphony of precision. After clinching pole with a blistering lap, he executed a textbook start, leaving Mercedes’ George Russell scrambling to close the gap. The 23-year-old maintained composure through tire changes and mid-race safety car periods, stretching his lead to over eight seconds by the checkered flag.
His victory at Bahrain International Circuit solidified his status as a title contender, narrowing the gap to championship leader Norris, who now holds a 15-point advantage.
McLaren’s Strategic Mastery: Double delight
Norris, starting fourth, leveraged McLaren’s strategic brilliance to claw his way to third. A daring undercut during the second pit stop cycle allowed him to leapfrog Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, whose aggressive tire strategy backfired. Russell, meanwhile, secured Mercedes’ best result of the season with a gritty drive to second, capitalizing on Ferrari’s late-race tire degradation.
The result catapulted McLaren to second in the constructors’ standings, just 12 points behind Red Bull, whose struggles deepened.
Ferrari’s Mixed Bag, Red Bull’s Woes
Ferrari’s Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth, respectively, their duel providing mid-race fireworks. Leclerc’s bold overtakes on Hamilton’s aging machinery highlighted Ferrari’s raw pace, but tire wear cost them a podium.
Red Bull’s nightmare continued as Max Verstappen labored to sixth in an understeer-plagued RB21. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda, in his Red Bull debut, managed ninth—a sobering result for the reigning champions.
Midfield Battles: Gasly Shines, Bearman Impresses
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly snatched seventh with a late charge, while Haas teammates Esteban Ocon and rookie Ollie Bearman rounded out the points. Bearman, making only his fifth F1 start, earned praise for fending off seasoned rivals to clinch tenth.
McLaren’s Bahrain success sends a clear message: their 2025 package is a threat. For Piastri, the win cements his rise from prodigy to pacesetter. As the grid heads to Jeddah, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can recalibrate—and if McLaren’s golden duo can keep the momentum alive.