Bahrain GP 2025: Oscar Piastri on pole, George Russell Second

McLaren’s Oscar Plastri took the pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix from George Russell of Mercedes with the second McLaren of Lando Norris in sixth place.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull, only one point behind Norris at the head of the championship, was a further place behind the British in seventh place.

Lewis Hamilton was just ninth in Ferrari, his teammate Charles Leclerc third in front of Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes.

Pierre Gasly was an impressive fifth in the Alpine, while Williams’ Carlos Sainz was eighth and the second Red Bull by Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10.

McLaren had always sought a certainty for the pole, but what was expected was a private battle between Piastri and Norris died when the final tour of the British walked away from him.

Plastri’s advantage over Russell was 0.168 seconds at the head of the field and Leclerc 0.334 seconds off the Australian.

“I felt confident throughout the weekend,” said Piastri. “The qualifications to the others were a little closer than we wanted, but he had the time around when he cared. I can’t thank the team for the car they gave me enough.”

Norris, who was 0.426 seconds behind his teammate, could not explain his lack of rhythm.

“I was just slow,” he said. “I was slow throughout this weekend, to tell the truth. Nothing too surprising. I have just been out.

“The car is incredible. I have nothing to complain about, the team is doing an extraordinary job but I’m just disappointing them.”

Hamilton had a reaction similar to its result.

“Our car is clearly much better than I am delivering,” he said. “Charles did an excellent job today. So great excuses with the team for not having done the job.”

And Verstappen said he fought both with braking and with his grip.

“It was difficult for the whole weekend,” said the world champion. “For any reason I had difficulties with the brakes, even the feeling. It is something that we must investigate and a general taking during the lap.

“It was quite inconsistent and this makes it very difficult to understand what you need from the car when for any reason we cannot make the tires work.

“We tried a lot with the set-up, but nothing gave us a clear answer, so it’s a little a shame.”

Russell said he didn’t expect to be the closest to McLarens like him.

“It was a really strong Q3,” he said. “I don’t really feel it through qualifying, I didn’t have the confidence in myself. I don’t know why it was.

“Q1 and Q2 were a real challenge. But Q3 returned to my rhythm and I was surprised to be only 0.15 seconds out of the polo pole and in front of one of the McLarens. And also Charles up there. A really strong ride and an excellent place for tomorrow.”