Oscar Piastri closed the hole to Lando Norris within the drivers’ standings to 3 factors with victory within the Bahrain Grand Prix – Getty Pictures/Malcolm Griffiths
Oscar Piastri took a dominant victory in Bahrain to shut to inside three factors of McLaren group mate Lando Norris on the prime of the drivers’ championship.
The Australian, for whom this was a second win in 4 races this season, was by no means in bother, even when a mid-race security automotive allowed his rivals to shut again up behind him.
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Norris, who began P6, had by his personal admission a “messy” race, however the 25 year-old did handle to make up three locations, narrowly failing to move the Mercedes of George Russell on the ultimate lap. Russell might nonetheless be in bother with the stewards for activating his DRS when he was not allowed to.
Elsewhere, the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton had been fourth and fifth, with Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen a distant sixth.
06:34 PM BSTThe subsequent race…
Is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix subsequent week. Listed here are the session instances for that.
April 18FP1 – 2.30pm BSTFP2 – 6pm
April 19FP3 – 2.30pmQualifying – 6pm
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April 20Race – 6pm
06:30 PM BSTYour driver of the day
Lewis Hamilton. Er, OK.
Suppose he had a good race however in all probability a minimum of 5 drivers within the prime 10 had higher races. Notably the race winner, George Russell, his team-mate, Pierre Gasly, the 2 Haas drivers…
06:15 PM BSTIs Lando Norris driving like a world champion?
Zak Brown is bigging up Norris’s efficiency in the present day however I believe it was sub-standard.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem stands subsequent to McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris after the Bahrain System One Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir on April 13, 2025
A number of the criticism final 12 months was that he wasn’t ruthless sufficient and made too many errors. I believe he has taken a step ahead in that regard however I’m questioning now if it’s a smaller step than I believed. A messy weekend right here little doubt and immensely so in comparison with Piastri who didn’t put a wheel misplaced all weekend. He definitely doesn’t look as hooked as much as the MCL39 as Piastri does.
06:12 PM BSTZak Brown speaks to Sky Sports activities F1
“We’re glad. That was nice. To get this one for the large boss right here is superior. Our guys drove nice. He was simply on kind as he’s at all times on kind. Simply this weekend he was dominant and completely in management. Mega race. George drove an incredible race and Mercedes is clearly very quick. Very glad.”
06:06 PM BSTPiastri will get his fingers on a trophy
Piastri celebrates – Getty Pictures/Giuseppe Cacace
4 grand prix wins for him, two this 12 months and two final. I believe he has actually improved within the areas he wanted to. Qualifying tempo in comparison with Norris and likewise how he makes use of the tyres within the race.
06:03 PM BSTUpdated constructor standings
McLaren pull additional forward of Mercedes, who had just one automotive rating factors. Haas transfer as much as fifth after their double factors end. Alpine get on the board with Gasly’s glorious seventh.
06:00 PM BSTUpdated driver standings
Norris’s lead down to 3 factors with Verstappen an additional 5 factors behind. Russell nonetheless within the equation with one other very good podium. Received probably the most from the Mercedes in the present day, little doubt.
05:56 PM BST‘What a muppet’
That’s Norris’s verdict within the cool-down room on his tried overtake of Leclerc, when he locked up at flip one.
05:54 PM BSTNorris on being out of place on the grid… and his race
“I didn’t assume I used to be that far ahead I suppose. A troublesome race, I made too many errors with the overtake. It was a messy race for me. Disenchanted to not convey dwelling a 1-2 for McLaren, however just a few positives. It was good racing by way of so no complaints. It was enjoyable, everybody laborious and on the restrict accurately. He [Russell] did a great job. I believed I’d be capable of get him however he was saving a bit bit. I’ll try to step it up subsequent weekend.”
05:52 PM BSTRussell on his second place
Russell says he clicked the radio button and the DRS opened. That’s the reason why he’s underneath investigation.
“It felt all underneath management for a second after which instantly we had a brake by wire failure. Instantly the pedal was going lengthy, it was going brief. I didn’t know what was occurring and the steering wheel wasn’t working correctly, so it was actually laborious fought to maintain Lando behind. I believe yet one more lap he would have gotten me however however actually proud of P2. For us it’s been 4 races, three podiums all on several types of tracks, so it offers us confidence going into the long run. It’s been an incredible weekend.”
05:48 PM BSTPiastri reacts to a second victory of 2025
“It’s been an unimaginable weekend. To complete off the job in model in the present day was good. Very pleased with what I’ve performed this weekend as effectively, very proud to do it right here in Bahrain as effectively, it’s an vital race for us given our house owners. It’s by no means been a observe that has been variety to us, so it’s good to have that win right here.”
05:47 PM BSTSome cheer for Ferrari there?
Their technique alternative helped them leap up the sphere in that second stint. Leclerc exhibiting as greater than 20 seconds adrift of Piastri, although I’m not positive that’s right. Russell didn’t end 16 seconds behind Piastri, did he? Anyway, it’s all relative however it seemed like they might a minimum of combat the Mercedes and had been a lot nearer to McLaren for a great chunk of the race.
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain in motion through the the System One Bahrain Grand Prix, in Sakhir, Sunday, April 13, 2025
05:43 PM BSTBahrain GP – Classification
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Russell might effectively drop down from second to fourth for that. It might be truthful however unfair, however guidelines are guidelines.
05:42 PM BSTOSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE 2025 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX!
An excellent drive from the Australian within the McLaren. A deserved win. Russell crosses the road second, Norris third and Leclerc fourth. Hamilton fifth. Verstappen will get Gasly on the final lap for sixth…
05:41 PM BSTFINAL LAP
Norris has to again out of a transfer at flip one! Russell defends robustly they usually nearly contact. In truth, I believe they did, flippantly. That may have been the very best alternative however it’s not over but…
Russell places in a strong effort at turns 9 and 10. That might be it on the street, although Russell could effectively take a five-second penalty for the wrong utilization of DRS. That may drop him right down to fourth because it stands…
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Piastri rounds the ultimate few corners…
05:39 PM BSTLap 56 of 57 – Norris and Russel duel for second
Russell has performed an excellent job in the present day. Has made these mushy tyres final with some delicate driving. Fast, too. Norris must be affected person however he’s working out of time.
Verstappen will get a ultimate observe limits warning as he tries to get Gasly for sixth.
05:38 PM BSTLap 55 of 57 – High 10
Piastri leads Russell, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Gasly, Verstappen, Ocon, Tsunoda and Bearman.
Norris instructed that they will solely use DRS when they’re 100 per cent positive they’re inside vary. I believe that’s due to Russell’s transponder points moderately than any situation with Norris.
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He’ll use that on the pit straight right here. I believe Russell is getting a penalty right here anyway so it could effectively all be tutorial.
05:36 PM BSTLap 54 of 57 – Norris closes up on Russell
Piastri cruising to victory right here.
10-second time penalty for Lawson now for inflicting a collision. Unsure what that was for, we noticed one earlier that he acquired a five-second penalty for. Penalties galore right here.
05:34 PM BSTLap 53 of 57 – Verstappen chasing Gasly for sixth
Gasly doing a effective job however the Purple Bull driver does have DRS. Norris has been given a black and white flag for observe limits which suggests yet one more infringement after which he’ll get a five-second penalty.
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Leclerc’s tyres have gone. I’m wondering if he is likely to be weak to Hamilton 6.5sec behind. Hmmm. Hamilton was seven-tenths sooner final time however the hole might be too huge.
05:33 PM BSTLap 52 of 57 – Norris lastly will get Leclerc for third!
Leclerc simply didn’t have the grip and switch 4 and Norris sailed across the outdoors.
Russell has activated DRS when he was not purported to. He’s having some programs points and likewise appeared to assume his gears had been going. That might effectively be a penalty for a person who has pushed a superb race. He’s now almost 10 seconds behind Piastri.
05:31 PM BSTLap 51 of 57 – Piastri cruising out entrance
6.6sec the hole to Russell. Russell is being helped enormously by the combat between Leclerc and Russell simply behind him.
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Norris is sticking to the Ferrari rear wing however has not raced the cleanest race in pursuit of Leclerc but. Not that he’s being soiled, simply that there have been just a few errors in there.
Right here’s the highest 10:
Antonelli in eleventh after which Albon proper behind him. An enormous scrap for ninth within the offing.
05:29 PM BSTLap 50 of 57 – ‘He pushed me off,’ Norris says
Did he? Unsure. Would wish to see one other view. Anyway, he could have one other go sooner or later. However Russell is now 2.8sec additional up the street. Russell is instructed that he could lose data on his dashboard however that he ought to be okay.
“So long as the steering wheel doesn’t come off,” he replies.
05:27 PM BSTLap 49 of 57 – Norris and Leclerc duel
He has a great run down to show 4 however then has to go vast… he can not overtake off the observe and doesn’t make the transfer stick anyway, like he did with Hamilton. That was a place he needed to give again, anyway. I might count on he’s a bit pissed off in that cockpit.
05:25 PM BSTLap 48 of 57 – Norris has Leclerc in his sights once more
Has not been a clear weekend from Norris but when he can end second right here he ought to be happy along with his work. Nicely, a minimum of along with his restoration in the present day.
05:23 PM BSTLap 47 of 57 – Sainz instructed to retire the automotive
Right here’s the highest 10 and gaps:
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05:22 PM BSTLap 46 of 57 – Norris locks up at flip one
He was alongside Leclerc, who selected the within line. It’s a reasonably large lock up and loses him fairly a little bit of time, although will get that again pretty rapidly after a small Leclerc error. Don’t assume he could have flatspotted his tyres.
05:21 PM BSTLap 45 of 57 – Russell has a difficulty with DRS
I believe it is likely to be linked to the transponder situation that led to him disappearing off the timing screens. Replays present Sainz has an infinite gap in his proper sidepod.
Norris shut than ever on Charles Leclerc. Russell’s mushy tyres are going off… he was 0.850sec slower than Piastri the final lap.
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McLaren on for a 1-2 right here.
05:19 PM BSTLap 44 of 57 – Norris proper on the rear wing og the Ferrari
He will get DRS on the pit straight and once more on the second straight. Sainz has 10-second penalty for forcing Antonelli off observe at flip 10 (beneath). Appears truthful. He’s in sixteenth at present anyway. Williams not trying in factors rivalry right here.
Williams’ Spanish driver Carlos Sainz and Mercedes’ Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli race through the Bahrain System One Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir on April 13, 2025
05:18 PM BSTLap 43 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 1.9sec
Norris the quickest man on observe and 1.1sec behind third-placed man Leclerc. Gasly doing a great job holding up his outdated team-mate Verstappen within the combat for sixth.
05:16 PM BSTLap 42 of 57 – Penalty for Lawson
5 seconds for inflicting a collision. With whom? Don’t know. Right here we go. He divebombed a Sauber at flip one. Hulkenberg.
05:15 PM BSTLap 41 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 1.8sec
Leclerc is 3.3sec behind.
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Hamilton says the automotive gained’t flip, which is a little bit of an issue…
05:13 PM BSTLap 40 of 57 – Norris has first rate tempo
Thoughts you, so does Leclerc forward of him. They had been only a smidgen slower than Piastri the final time round.
05:11 PM BSTLap 39 of 57 – High 10 and gaps05:10 PM BSTLap 38 of 57 – Norris will get Hamilton for third
He has dropped again a bit from the chief Piastri. Russell’s transponder isn’t working and is exhibiting as out of the race. He isn’t. I can see he’s second on the TV photos. I believe he’s about 1.3sec behind Piastri.
05:08 PM BSTLap 37 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 0.7sec in the beginning of the lap
McLaren instruct Norris handy the place again to Hamilton. He does that as they head into flip 4 this time round. Hamilton makes a little bit of a large number of it, although, working vast. Norris again down into fifth.
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By the center a part of the lap Piastri will get out of DRS vary of Russell behind.
Antonelli having a troublesome race once more. He’s again down in 14th after a tussle with Sainz that pressured him vast.
05:07 PM BSTLap 36 of 57 – Piastri retains the lead
Norris loses place to Hamilton in the beginning of the lap however then will get it again on the skin of flip 4! Hamilton says Norris handed him off the observe. Hamilton made the dive across the outdoors of Norris at flip one as Norris squabbled with Leclerc.
Was Norris off the observe when he handed Hamilton? I believe he was.
05:05 PM BSTLap 35 of 57 – SC on this lap
The observe has been cleared and the pack will bunch up…
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Piastri on the mediums leads Russell on the softs and Leclerc on the hards. This might be enjoyable.
Piastri backs the pack up. Russell stays glued to his rear wing as they method the ultimate couple of corners.
Piastri goes and Russell might need an opportunity right here…
Not a great one for Leclerc, although.
05:02 PM BSTLap 34 of 57 – High 10 underneath the SC
Of that lot, Gasly, Ocon, Verstappen and Doohan didn’t cease underneath the SC, having stopped not too lengthy beforehand.
Russell says that 24 laps on the mushy is “audacious”. He’s not incorrect. You do surprise if Mercedes have risked Russell stopping once more and falling fairly far down the pack.
04:59 PM BSTLap 33 of 57 – SC works out effectively for Piastri
He is ready to pit with out shedding observe place. The remainder of the highest 4 additionally are available. Tender tyres for Russell, clearly attempting to get observe place on the restart. That might be attention-grabbing. Daring. Leclerc has gone onto the laborious tyre. Piastri onto the medium, as is Norris. Hamilton on the hards.
04:57 PM BSTLap 32 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 7.2sec
We now have not seen a lot of him in the present day. No troubles in any respect. Doing precisely what he must do with none hazard.
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Verstappen watch: he’s in 14th chasing down Alonso. Scrap that, he overtakes Alonso for thirteenth someplace on the market.
Hamilton’s tempo has been first rate this stint…
We now have a full Security Automobile! Should be due to the particles.
04:56 PM BSTLap 31 of 57 – Sainz will get Tsunoda
However the two come collectively flippantly and the Williams loses just a few bits of carbon fibre… into sixth for the Spaniard and Williams at present heading in the right direction for a great haul of factors. Fairly a little bit of particles on the observe. Surprise in the event that they should do something about that at race management.
04:54 PM BSTLap 30 of 57 – Norris wonders why he has a lightweight exhibiting
Not fairly positive what it signifies or if it’s an issue however McLaren are investigating.
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High 10 because it stands. Everybody has stopped as soon as aside from Gasly who has pitted twice.
04:53 PM BSTLap 29 of 57 – Piastri leads by 6.7sec
Simply managing the hole out at entrance, a tenth sooner than Russell and Leclerc.
04:51 PM BSTLap 28 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 6.4sec
Norris, in fourth, is instructed that he has a tyre benefit over these forward of him. Antonelli pits and goes onto set of soppy tyres. They won’t make it to the top, certainly, so he will likely be doing a three-stop stratey. He comes out proper in the midst of site visitors. Good qualifying however a troublesome race to this point for the Italian.
Leclerc struggling to beat Russell’s tempo now.
04:49 PM BSTLap 27 of 57 – Norris struggling right here
He was 0.8sec slower than chief Piastri final time round. Leclerc is roughly on Piastri’s tempo and is nearly inside DRS vary.
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It’s one other very sluggish cease for Verstappen with a sticky proper entrance. He comes out twentieth and final on the street. As painful a weekend this week as Suzuka was superb final week.
04:47 PM BSTLap 26 of 57 – High 10 and gaps04:46 PM BSTLap 25 of 57 – Leclerc will get Norris this time!
And Hamilton within the different Ferrari will get Antonelli for seventh. The Ferrari technique appears to be working effectively right here. What they do from right here, although, will determine the way it all works out.
Leclerc just one.6sec away from Russell now. Ferrari making huge good points right here. Let’s keep watch over Leclerc’s tempo in comparison with Piastri right here.
04:45 PM BSTLap 24 of 57 – Leclerc almost will get Norris!
Leclerc comes from a loooong means again into flip one… does he take Norris without warning? The door was open and he steps into the hole. He goes in too deep although and Norris then will get him again earlier than turns two and three to retake third. Possibly he noticed it coming. It’d solely be a matter of time, although.
04:43 PM BSTLap 23 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 5.1sec
Black and white flags for Hadjar and Antonelli for exceeding observe limits. A five-second time penalty in the event that they do it once more. After which once more after that? 10 seconds.
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Leclerc inside DRS vary of Norris for third now.
04:42 PM BSTLap 22 of 57 – Hamilton making a cost, of kinds
He will get Verstappen simply into flip 11 and is up into eighth. Subsequent man up the street is Kimi Antonelli within the Mercedes; 1.9sec the hole at present.
04:39 PM BSTLap 21 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 4 seconds
There’s tempo to burn within the McLaren however 4 seconds is a wholesome hole right here. Extending it pretty comfortably every lap. Leclerc is closing up on Norris for third, too. We might see a three-way combat for third quickly.
Verstappen not having a enjoyable time in the mean time. Every part is overheating, he says.
04:38 PM BSTLap 20 of 57 – Anotnelli goes for it
Verstappen and Antonelli scrapping in the beginning of the lap. Antonelli has the higher grip and will get the transfer performed on the exit of flip 4 heading into the esses. Good transfer. Tidy. Ferrari at present fast on their new medium tyres. Hamilton and Leclerc each a second sooner than chief Piastri on the final lap. Drawback for Hamilton is he’s 17.6sec away from the chief. Leclerc, although, is 7.6sec away.
Norris is making some inroads into Russell forward in second.
04:36 PM BSTLap 19 of 57 – Hamilton will get Tsunoda for tenth
Right here is the reshuffled prime 10. Everybody has stopped now.
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04:35 PM BSTLap 18 of 57 – Verstappen on the radio
“No tyre grip in any respect,” he says. He’s on the hards and is beginning to look simple meat for Antonelli behind.
Purple Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen races through the Bahrain System One Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir on April 13, 2025
04:34 PM BSTLap 17 of 57 – Verstappen underneath stress from Antonelli
Verstappen on the laborious tyres, Antonelli on the softs. Antonelli will get alongside him however then drops again a bit. A run down to show 11 will likely be an opportunity, with DRS however sadly Verstappen has DRS too chasing Ocon.
Leclerc instructed to field for mediums. He’s not glad about that. It means he’s locked in for a two-stop technique as a result of he must run one other compound of tyre. Hamilton additionally stops and goes onto the mediums as effectively. Hmmm.
They arrive out into site visitors.
04:31 PM BSTLap 16 of 57 – High 10 and gaps
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Drivers in italics but to cease.
04:29 PM BSTLap 15 of 57 – Piastri pits from the lead
He comes out in third however meaning it’s a Ferrari 1-2. Bear in mind each Leclerc and Hamilton on the medium tyres, so a opposite technique to these different drivers within the prime 10.
Norris has misplaced floor to Russell for the reason that Mercedes man emerged from the pits.
Drivers warned of a slippery floor at turns 9 and 10. These are tough sufficient corners as it’s.
04:27 PM BSTLap 14 of 57 – The place does Russell come out?
He’s simply forward of Norris and in seventh, who’s battling with Lawson. That labored out. That’s in all probability why they stopped him once they did. Alonso is between them, thoughts you.
04:26 PM BSTLap 13 of 57 – High 10
Solely Norris has stopped of this lot.
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Let’s see how lengthy Ferrari can go on their mediums. Tsunoda additionally has an issue along with his pit cease gentle. Not what you need.
Russell pits from second.
04:25 PM BSTLap 12 of 57 – Piastri stretching his lead
Half a second faster than Russell that final lap, almost.
Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Lando Norris of Nice Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on observe through the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on April 13, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain.
04:24 PM BSTLap 11 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 3.9sec
Unsure what occurred with Verstappen’s cease. There was a pink gentle on his pit field which is why he was delayed. However he went when it was nonetheless pink. Maybe a technical malfunction there.
04:22 PM BSTLap 10 of 57 – Loads of motion on the market
I’m wondering if some drivers are beginning to have their tyres fall off. Antonelli will get Gasly for fifth. Norris is nearer to Russell than he has ever been however has not but been shut sufficient to have a correct look.
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Norris pits from third. He serves his five-second penalty and adjustments to medium tyres. Additionally coming in is Verstappen, however that may be a sluggish cease – 4.7sec. And he goes to the laborious tyres.
04:20 PM BSTLap 9 of 57 – Leclerc sad along with his brakes
In the meantime Hamilton will get Sainz for eighth however solely momentarily. Hamilton goes in a bit too deep into flip 4 after which he surrenders the place once more. Tsunoda getting concerned in that battle now however Hamilton will get DRS on the again straight and goes up the within. Sainz then loses one other place to Tsunoda.
Piastri says he’s beginning to battle a bit. He leads Russell by three seconds.
04:18 PM BSTLap 8 of 57 – High 10 and gaps04:17 PM BSTLap 7 of 57 – Penalty for Norris
It’s a five-second time penalty. Not the worst factor on this planet, actually. Except there’s a late security automotive he ought to be effective, I believe the McLaren has the tempo to complete within the prime two and effectively forward of whoever is behind.
04:15 PM BSTLap 6 of 57 – Verstappen observed Norris being out of place
Sharp as a tack, that lad. Piastri has pulled 2.4sec forward of Russell. Norris can not actually make a lot of a dent in Russell because it stands. He’s shut however hasn’t been shut sufficient to take a look.
04:13 PM BSTLap 5 of 57 – Motion within the prime 10
Antonelli will get Sainz at flip one to maneuver again into sixth. Sainz then has his outdated team-mate Verstappen for firm. The Williams driver then forces, I believe, Verstappen vast at flip 4 however the Purple Bull driver will get the place. Up into seventh.
04:11 PM BSTLap 4 of 57 – Piastri leads Russell by 1.5sec
Hamilton on the radio: “Grip is sort of poor on this tyre.” He’s on the medium tyre and inside DRS vary of Verstappen forward in eighth. Gasly holding onto the again of the opposite Ferrari – 0.7sec the hole between them.
Norris now formally underneath investigation.
04:10 PM BSTLap 3 of 57 – A penalty for Norris incoming?
He has been famous for being out of place on the grid, in essence a false begin. Oh pricey.
Russell 1.5sec behind Piastri. Norris 0.9sec behind Russell.
04:07 PM BSTLap 2 of 57 – High 10
Bearman, who began final, had a great first lap into fifteenth however locks up closely at flip one. One second between Piastri and Russell. Norris is 0.8sec behind Russell.
04:06 PM BSTTHE 2025 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IS GO!
Drama on the first nook! It’s a effective begin for Piastri who retains the lead however Leclerc is slowed down and loses second to Russell! Russell has a take into consideration taking the lead however locks up at flip one… but in some way manages to maintain his Mercedes near Piastri they usually almost collide.
Wonderful begin for Norris, who’s up already three locations into third. Preferrred first lap for McLaren. Norris positively again into race rivalry right here.
Verstappen down one place to eighth behind Antonelli. Sainz up into sixth, Gasly down into fifth.
04:04 PM BSTHere we go
20 drivers have lined up on the grid. Who takes the lead on the first nook?
04:03 PM BSTThe formation lap is underneath means
Suppose the probabilities of Piastri shedding his result in Leclerc off the road are slim giving the Ferrari driver is on the tougher tyres, however let’s see…
04:00 PM BSTNot lengthy till the formation lap
Predictions?
Right here’s my prime six:
Everybody within the prime 10 begins on mushy tyres besides Leclerc and Hamilton, each Ferrari drivers.
03:55 PM BSTWhat can Gasly do in the present day?
Fourth on the grid. Has been a battle for Alpine this 12 months. No factors. I believe he’d be proud of something within the prime eight, realistically. High six even higher.
03:46 PM BSTWhat is the optimum technique in the present day?
They assume a two-stop race with mushy, medium, medium or mushy, laborious, medium being the quickest. Let’s see. It might be good to get some strategic variation in the present day as a result of now we have lacked that a bit to this point this season.
03:44 PM BSTGeorge Russell speaks to Martin Brundle
“It felt a bit sizzling and smelly on the market on the laps to the grid however I believe it’s the identical for everybody. I believe will probably be tough in the beginning however it’s going to come to us as all when the observe temp drops and the grip ramps up.”
03:42 PM BSTWhat are these two chatting about?
Technique? I really feel that if Piastri will get forward at flip one then no person will see him for mud.
Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – April 13, 2025 McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the grid earlier than the race
03:39 PM BSTMartin Brundle’s grid stroll has begun
Nothing too attention-grabbing early on. A quick chat with TV chef James Martin. He wanders in direction of the entrance looking for somebody to speak to however to little avail to this point.
03:31 PM BSTFinal beginning grid
1. PIA 2. LEC3. RUS 4. GAS5. ANT 6. NOR7. VER 8. SAI9. HAM 10. TSU11. DOO 12. HAD13. ALO 14. OCO15. ALB 16. HUL17. LAW 18. BOR19. STR 20. BEA
03:28 PM BSTJackie Stewart again in his Tyrrell 006
What a sight! What a automotive.
Former British System One racing driver Jackie Stewart performs an exhibition lap forward of the Bahrain System One Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir on April 13, 2025.
Former British System One racing driver Jackie Stewart performs an exhibition lap forward of the Bahrain System One Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir on April 13, 2025.
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa greets former British System One racing driver Jackie Stewart as System One CEO Stefano Domenicali (C) and Mark Stewart look oon, forward of the Bahrain System One Grand Prix on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir on April 13, 2025.
03:20 PM BSTCurrent constructor standings
Can’t see anybody beating McLaren this 12 months. Not solely have they got the quickest automotive, they’ve two quick drivers. Purple Bull have a problematic automotive and to this point just one driver has scored factors. Mercedes have a good all-round automotive however with one rookie. Ferrari? Nicely, they simply haven’t managed to get their automotive into its candy spot all that usually. I believe that may come however they’re to this point adrift already. Nonetheless, a protracted technique to go.
03:15 PM BSTAverage qualifying place
5 qualifying classes to this point, so that is how every driver stacks up. Piastri is clearly doing the very best job, comparatively in addition to completely I’d say. Norris has had a few blips in there. Russell is doing a great job too.
Hamilton not a lot. Take out his dash pole and his qualifying outcomes are eighth, fifth, eighth, ninth in comparison with Leclerc’s seventh, 4th, sixth, 4th, third. Type of appears like historical past repeating however we do have to recollect that is early days in his Ferrari profession they usually have launched upgrades. Extra truthful to guage him after one other 4 races.
03:09 PM BSTWhat can Hamilton do in the present day from ninth?
He desperately wants a optimistic race. What would that be? Transferring forwards. Sixth? Onerous to say. Let’s see the place he finally ends up in comparison with Charles Leclerc.
03:03 PM BSTF1 uncooked tempo score
This exhibits us how effectively every group has performed in qualifying and the way huge the gaps are, on common over the season. It does this by understanding every group’s quickest lap of a weekend relative to the quickest total time (100.00 per cent can be the quickest time).
As you may see, Russell’s lap yesterday bumps Mercedes forward of Purple Bull while Ferrari enhance barely however are nonetheless the fourth quickest group on common. And never that far forward of Racing Bulls in fifth.
02:56 PM BSTCurrent driver standings
Little doubt that this is a wonderful alternative for Oscar Piastri. Not solely does he begin 5 locations forward of team-mate and championship chief Norris however he’s six locations forward of Verstappen, in second place within the standings, too.
If everybody was to complete the place they began, Piastri would take the championship lead over Norris after which Verstappen behind them. I don’t assume that Norris ending sixth is a really probably state of affairs, although. Nonetheless, if Piastri wins and Norris is third then the hole is down to only three factors. An extended season, sure, however these races are as vital as any.
02:50 PM BSTDownbeat Norris
I believed this was a really frank but in addition worrying change. Norris has struggled sure, and it’s good to come clean with it however I believe there are higher methods of fronting as much as this and never being fairly so laborious on your self. In fact, this was actually minutes after he jumped out of the automotive and time could have dulled the depth of his feelings however there’s a job to do in the present day.
It was just like what we noticed from Hamilton actually, with the underside line being “I’m not adequate”. That’s in all probability an oversimplification of a fancy state of affairs, although.
02:41 PM BSTGrid penalties for each Mercedes drivers
Second place and fourth place was Mercedes’ greatest qualifying session of the 12 months. But that was quickly tainted by every driver being given a one-place grid penalty for in the present day’s race. Why? Nicely, each George Russell (beneath) and Kimi Antonelli left their garages and went to the top of the pit lane earlier than a provisional restart session for qualifying (after the pink flag brought on by Ocon’s crash) had been confirmed.
Second positioned qualifier George Russell of Nice Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Staff appears to be like on throughout qualifying forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on April 12, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain
There was a thought that they may get away with a effective however a one-place grid penalty doesn’t appear overly harsh. It drops Russell to 3rd and Antonelli to fifth, which suggests Leclerc begins on the entrance row and Gasly begins fourth.
02:34 PM BSTFinal instances after qualifying
Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1m 29.841sec
George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:30.009
Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:30.175
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Ita) Mercedes GP 1:30.213
Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:30.216
Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:30.267
Max Verstappen (Ned) Purple Bull 1:30.423
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Williams 1:30.680
Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Ferrari 1:30.772
Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) Purple Bull 1:31.303
Jack Doohan (Aus) Alpine 1:31.245
Isack Hadjar (Fra) RB 1:31.271
Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:31.886
Esteban Ocon (Fra) Haas F1 1:31.594
Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Kick Sauber 1:31.998
Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:32.040
Liam Lawson (Nzl) RB 1:32.165
Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra) Kick Sauber 1:32.186
Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:32.283
Oliver Bearman (Gbr) Haas F1 1:32.373
02:23 PM BSTGood afternoon
Welcome to our stay protection for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix from the Sakhir Worldwide Circuit. It’s the fourth race of the 2025 season and will give us one other probability to evaluate how the pecking order is stacking up. Extra vital, although, is the rising championship combat with regards to the drivers.
Thus far now we have had three totally different drivers (Norris, Piastri, Verstappen) win the three grands prix and a fourth totally different one (Hamilton) gained the dash race. The broader image is that McLaren have carried out effectively at each observe to this point while different groups have gone out and in of kind at numerous factors.
That was once more underlined in qualifying yesterday. Oscar Piastri took pole for McLaren, a group everyone anticipated to be quickest, but the margin to second place was not that enormous. George Russell’s Mercedes was simply 0.163sec off Piastri’s time and his second Q3 run meant the Australian needed to ship – and he did. Charles Leclerc was an additional tenth and a half again in third for Ferrari. Kimi Antonelli was fourth for Mercedes – his greatest qualifying in his brief F1 profession.
Oscar Piastri took his second pole of the season – Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed
What was anticipated to be a McLaren front-row lockout didn’t materialise, nonetheless. Norris made just a few errors in Q3 and ended up in sixth and an infinite 0.426sec down on his McLaren team-mate and behind even the Alpine of Pierre Gasly. He was dejected after the session and has work to do to get on the rostrum.
There have been a pair world champions who had troublesome classes, too. Max Verstappen was down in seventh for Purple Bull, almost six-tenths of a second off Piastri’s pole time. He by no means seemed like hooking a lap up and struggled along with his brakes all through the session.
Lewis Hamilton put in his worst qualifying exhibiting for Ferrari, ending ninth and almost an entire second off Piastri in addition to half a second down on team-mate Leclerc. Each he and Norris had been at a loss to clarify their deficits.
The race begins at 4pm BST and we will likely be right here for all the build-up, stay race updates and response from Bahrain.
