Following a dominant introduction to the 2025 F1 Season, McLaren headed to Bahrain ahead of the pack.
A Showcase of Excellence: How McLaren Dominated in Bahrain
It was a weekend to remember for McLaren in Bahrain. The British team dominated all weekend, starting with Lando Norris leading the way in Free Practice 1. Oscar Piastri then took the reins from Free Practice 2, claiming Pole and McLaren’s first Bahrain Grand Prix win.
Despite being consistently slower than his teammate since Friday, Norris climbed from P6 to P3 to round off the podium.
IT’S A PAPAYA DOUBLE PODIUM IN BAHRAIN! 🧡 #McLaren | #BahrainGP 🇧🇭 pic.twitter.com/XonaPyWBZH
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 13, 2025
Friday FP1: Norris Dominates with Ease
McLaren made an assertive start to the weekend in FP1, with Norris topping the timesheets early.
His initial benchmark, 1.35.674s on the medium compound, placed him 0.170s ahead of Alex Albon. This was an encouraging sign for the Woking-based team’s title efforts.
Piastri reported, “There’s not grip out here at all,” attributing the lack of traction to the harder tyre compounds and the heat radiating off the tarmac.
Despite the tricky conditions, Norris maintained his momentum. When he eventually switched to the softs, he delivered a 1.33.204s, over two tenths quicker than Gasly, to reclaim P1.
That lap marked a definitive improvement and highlighted the pace many anticipated from McLaren, even at a circuit not traditionally among their strongest.
In contrast, Piastri’s session was less seamless. A wide moment in the final corner compromised what could have been a much sharper time, placing him P10.
Regardless, Norris looked comfortable. It was an advantage for McLaren and an advantage for Norris, who, as ever, appeared to find rhythm quicker than his teammate as the weekend began.
READ MORE: Martí and Dunne Both Triumph in Thrilling F2 Weekend in Bahrain
Friday FP2: Piastri’s Takeover Begins
McLaren once again asserted their dominance in FP2, much to the dismay of the field.
The team began the session on the hard compound, with most runners opting for mediums, while Verstappen and Antonelli explored the softs early.
Despite the variety of tyre strategies, McLaren looked the most composed when the lap times started to count.
Both drivers did have their moments: Piastri locked up and ran wide shortly after Albon suffered a similar fate, highlighting how tricky the conditions remained. Norris locked up heavily into Turn 1, sending a cloud of white smoke from his front-left tyre, earning himself a flat spot that could lead to vibrations across his stint.
Despite these early issues, McLaren found their stride.
Norris first delivered a lap that put him 0.671s clear of Verstappen. It looked like a statement run until Piastri crossed the line moments later. The Australian placed in the top spot by 0.154s, completing a McLaren one-two. No other driver came within half a second of the pair.
By the end of the session, Piastri sat five-tenths ahead of Russell and Leclerc, seven-tenths clear of Antonelli, and eight-tenths up on Verstappen. Hamilton, meanwhile, trailed by over a second.
Both McLarens had arrived.
Saturday FP3: A One-Two Finish
FP3 confirmed McLaren was the team to beat.
Norris familiarly opened the session to FP1 and FP2, clocking an early 1.33.796s on the softs. The Briton was comfortably half a second clear of Fernando Alonso and nearly a full second ahead of Gasly, though the latter had set his time on the mediums.
However, the real story once again unfolded within McLaren’s garage.
Piastri, who looked increasingly confident through FP2, took the intra-team battle to new heights. His first flying lap on the softs was 1.33.324s, nearly half a second up on Norris.
The Australian was not done there. Verstappen briefly claimed the top spot with 1.33.027s, and Gasly enjoyed a fleeting moment in P1, but Piastri led with a 1.31.699s, putting him 1.328s clear of the entire field.
In response, Norris managed a 1.32.314s on what appeared to be a second push lap on used softs. Even accounting for tyre wear, the gap of 0.668s to his teammate was telling. The advantage lay with Piastri, who looked far more at ease in the car, extracting consistent pace sector after sector.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Kyle Larson Puts on a Clinic in NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Bristol
Saturday Qualifying: Piastri Pole
With six minutes remaining in Q3, Piastri set a benchmark of 1.30.233s to grab provisional pole, edging ahead of Russell by a tenth. Norris, meanwhile, could only slot into third.
On the Australian’s final flying lap, he improved again to reclaim provisional pole, reasserting his dominance. In comparison, Norris crossed the line sixth fastest. A snap of his wheelspin when exiting Turn 1 cost him vital time. His lap never recovered. He ended up over four-tenths down on Piastri.
The final order saw Piastri on pole, joined on the front row by Russell. Leclerc and Antonelli locked out the second row, while Gasly lined up fifth. Norris had to settle for sixth.
However, post-qualifying, Russell and Antonelli were given a singular grid drop for leaving their garages too early. Leclerc and Gasly each made up a place.
“I felt confident out there all weekend. FP3 we had good pace, and Qualifying – the others caught up a little closer than I wanted, but I delivered the laps when it mattered so very, very happy.
“I have to get to Turn 1 in first so let’s see what happens but I’ve felt comfortable all weekend. I can’t thank the team enough for the car they have given me.” – Oscar Piastri, Post-Qualifying
Sunday Grand Prix: Piastri Converts His Pole Into a Win
McLaren delivered an incredible performance under the lights in Bahrain as Piastri clinched his second victory of the 2025 F1 season, becoming the first repeat winner of the year. The Australian executed a flawless race strategy to fend off early pressure from Russell and secure a commanding win.
OSCAR SECURES OUR FIRST-EVER VICTORY IN BAHRAIN! 🏆#McLaren | #BahrainGP 🇧🇭 pic.twitter.com/4mJLBIgHej
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 13, 2025
Norris extended his championship lead with a recovery drive to third, ensuring both McLaren cars graced the podium again. Despite a five-second time penalty for being out of position on the starting grid, Norris fought back with a series of vital overtakes.
The race began with Russell briefly challenging Piastri into Turn 1, but the Australian held firm.
From there, Piastri controlled the race, responding strategically to pit stops around him. When Russell stopped for fresh tyres, Piastri followed one lap later, covering off the undercut and maintaining track position.
Norris served his penalty during an early stop for medium tyres on lap 11. He rejoined behind Russell but stayed in contention, later reclaiming ground with an assertive move at Turn 4 following a brief exchange with Hamilton.
A well-timed overtaking on Leclerc after a prolonged battle saw Norris climb into third.
Both McLaren drivers opted for medium tyres during the mid-race safety car period, which paid off in the closing stages.
The double podium finish heightens McLaren’s title fight, with Piastri showing race-winning control and Norris continuing to lead the drivers’ standings. The Woking-based team leaves Bahrain with momentum firmly on their side. Both titles seem to be theirs for the taking.
“That should be one hell of a party tonight. Mega weekend everyone. That was pretty damn fun.” – Oscar Piastri via Radio
READ NEXT: Bahrain GP: McLaren Dominate and Ferrari Bounce Back
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 13.04.2025
