Under the floodlights of Bahrain’s Sakhir Circuit, the 2025 Formula 1 season took an unexpected turn. Records were broken, milestones hit, and long-standing streaks were shaken—all within 57 laps. From the front runners to the midfield strugglers, nearly every team had something to gain or lose. And at the heart of it all stood a driver with something to prove, returning to the circuit where his F1 story began.
Piastri Marks 50th Start with Career-Defining Drive
Oscar Piastri (2.00) delivered a precise and dominant drive to win the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, giving McLaren its first-ever victory at the Sakhir circuit. Starting from pole, the Australian didn’t put a wheel wrong across the 57 laps. He not only led from start to finish but also set the fastest lap, completing what’s known as a Grand Prix ‘hat-trick’—a feat achieved by only 49 drivers in F1 history. His 15.499-second margin over second place is the widest of the season so far and reflects how in control he was throughout the race. This also marked his 30th consecutive race finish in the points—an ongoing streak that quietly signals consistency and class.
Russell Records Career Best in Bahrain
George Russell (20.86) crossed the line in second, achieving his highest-ever finish in Bahrain. The Mercedes driver kept close pressure on Piastri in the opening laps but ultimately lacked the pace to challenge for the win. Still, the result extended his personal best points streak to 14 races. Mercedes’ strong setup and reliability again proved essential, especially with rival teams encountering scattered issues across the weekend.
Norris Keeps the Championship Lead Alive
Despite starting sixth, Lando Norris pulled off a calculated drive to finish third. He made up three positions on the opening lap alone—something he had only done once in the entirety of the 2024 season. A decisive late-race move on Charles Leclerc (63.91) helped him stay atop the Drivers’ Championship standings, fending off increasing pressure from both McLaren and Mercedes teammates. While he didn’t match Piastri’s pace this time, Norris’ points haul was crucial for the team’s title ambitions.
Ferrari Steady But Not Yet Sharp
Ferrari showed signs of promise, with Charles Leclerc leading laps for the first time since the 2024 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. He ultimately finished fourth, matching his result in the previous round. Lewis Hamilton (96.73), in his best showing since moving to Ferrari, secured fifth. While both cars were in the fight early on, Ferrari couldn’t match the long-run pace of the McLarens or Mercedes, highlighting ongoing setup limitations.
Red Bull’s Uneven Weekend
For Red Bull, the Bahrain Grand Prix proved complicated. Max Verstappen endured his worst finish of the season, placing sixth after a sluggish pit stop disrupted his race rhythm. Yuki Tsunoda (537.56), however, offered a silver lining by finishing ninth, marking Red Bull’s first double points result of the 2025 campaign. Verstappen’s drop in performance adds to the unpredictability of this year’s title chase.
Midfield Teams Shine Brightly
The midfield battle was equally compelling. Pierre Gasly (1898.59) earned Alpine’s first points of the season with a strong seventh-place finish, pushing the team ahead of Kick Sauber in the Constructors’ standings. Esteban Ocon (2787.76), driving for Haas, bounced back from a qualifying crash to secure eighth. Meanwhile, rookie Oliver Bearman (2787.76) clawed his way from the back of the grid to tenth, completing his third straight points-scoring race—a remarkable run for the 19-year-old.
Looking Ahead
Piastri’s historic win not only validates his growth as a top-tier driver but also signals McLaren’s steady climb toward becoming a consistent race-winning force. With Norris still leading the championship and Russell finding rhythm, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most open and competitive in recent years. The stage is set for a thrilling fight as teams head into the European leg of the calendar.
