MOTORSPORT – OSCAR Piastri was in a class of his own last night as he powered reigning constructors’ world champions McLaren to their first-ever victory in the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025.
Piastri shone brightest amongst F1’s star-studded grid and made history for Bahrain-owned McLaren at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.
The Australian won from pole and was later presented with the winning driver’s trophy by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Piastri was joined on the podium by George Russell of Mercedes and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who made a late charge for his spot in the top three.
It was the first podiums for both drivers in Bahrain.
Also handing out the trophies during the podium ceremonies were His Majesty King Hamad’s humanitarian work and youth affairs representative and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain Motor Federation president and FIA vice-president for sport for MENA Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Gulf Air Group chairman Khalid Taqi.
Shaikh Nasser was joined on the start grid for the pre-race formalities by F1 Group CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Shaikh Abdulla, and BIC chairman Aref Rahimi.
Piastri’s victory was the fourth of his F1 career and his second of the season, following his triumph in China, and it all came in his 50th F1 race.
“Great to have this result out here,” said Piastri. “It’s been an incredible weekend, starting off with qualifying yesterday and to finish the job today in style was nice.
“Can’t thank the team enough for the car they’ve given us. It’s pretty handy out there. It’s been a great weekend and very proud of what I’ve done.
“Very proud to do it here in Bahrain as well. It’s obviously a very important race for us, given our owners, and it’s never been a track that’s been kind to us. So it’s nice to finally have that first win for the team.”
Piastri had a quick getaway at the start and maintained a strong pace throughout the 57 laps. He did well to stay ahead following a safety car period a little beyond the race’s midway point, and then, with clear air ahead of him, extended his advantage en route to taking the chequered flag as fireworks lit up the Sakhir night sky in celebration.
Former Ferrari chairperson Luca di Montezemolo had the honour of waving the chequered flag at the end of the race. Piastri triumphed in a total race time of one hour 35 minutes 39.435 seconds. He was classified 15.499 seconds ahead of Russell, who needed to fend off a late charge from Norris, who finished 16.273s from the victor.
“It felt all under control for a moment, and then suddenly we had a brake-by-wire failure,” said Russell, who dealt with car issues towards the end of the grand prix. “Suddenly the pedal was going long, and then it was going short – I didn’t know what was going on. The steering wheel wasn’t working properly, so it was really hard fought to keep Lando behind.
“I think one more lap, he would have got me pretty comfortably. But nevertheless, really, really pleased with P2.”
Norris needed to serve a five-second time penalty during the race for being in an incorrect starting position on the grid. Despite this, he was able to get onto the podium and continues to lead the drivers’ championship standings with 77 points, and is now three points ahead of Piastri.
“A tough race, of course,” said Norris. “I made too many mistakes with the overtakes, the out-of-position.
“It was a messy race for me and disappointed not to bring home a one-two for McLaren because it would have been lovely at home. So, a tough one – but still a few positives.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc narrowly missed out on the podium after Norris’s late surge. Leclerc was classified 19.679s behind Piastri, while teammate Lewis Hamilton finished 27.993s adrift for a solid fifth in a tough weekend for the seven-time drivers’ world champion. Reigning four-time drivers’ world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finished sixth 34.395s back, Pierre Gasly was seventh for Alpine 36.002s behind, and Estban Ocon was eighth for Haas 44.244s from the winner. Yuki Tsunoda (+45.061s) of Red Bull Racing and Oliver Bearman (+47.594s) completed the top 10 and the points finishers.
Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, who finished 13th in the race, was later disqualified by the stewards because the thickness of the plank assembly on his car was below the permitted minimum thickness, according to the FIA.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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