McLaren Dominates Bahrain Grand Prix Practices, Setting Stage for Qualifying

SAKHIR, Bahrain — Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren have shown exceptional speed during the practice sessions for the 2025 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, leading to speculation about their potential dominance in the upcoming race. The duo shared the fastest times on Friday, with Norris clocking in at a top lap that left rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari remarking that McLaren was ‘on another planet’ at the Sakhir circuit.

The final practice session before Saturday’s qualifying is set for this afternoon, and teams are eager to see if McLaren’s impressive pace can carry over. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen in Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari aim to find the speed needed to challenge for pole position.

Historically, every Formula 1 race of the season has been won from pole position, which adds an extra layer of tension to the qualifying session. However, track characteristics at Sakhir are distinct, offering more overtaking opportunities than previous venues this season. ‘Unlike the last three races, I don’t think this weekend will be dominated by qualifying,’ Piastri said after practice, emphasizing that race pace and tire degradation will be critical factors.

Indeed, Bahrain’s track layout combines long straights and heavy braking zones, making it a more conventional racetrack compared to the previous circuits. ‘This track has always been challenging for us, but it will be a good test,’ Piastri commented. ‘We’re confident and in a position to win this weekend.’

McLaren has historically struggled at Bahrain, but recent performances during testing have hinted at a significant improvement in their package. In the previous race in Japan, Verstappen capitalized on a lack of overtaking to secure victory from pole against a struggling McLaren team.

The drivers are aware of the strong competition they face, particularly from the Red Bull team, which has remained close in championship standings. ‘Everything feels dreadful right now, but the car is in a reasonable place,’ Norris said, balancing expectations for qualifying against the reality of race conditions.

The rapid pace displayed in practice has sent a message to the rest of the grid as McLaren looks to put together a strong showing. Piastri and Norris were first and second in times, with Norris just a fraction ahead of his teammate in the second practice session.

Meanwhile, in the background, F1 stakeholders have been discussing potential changes to regulations for 2026, which has sparked concerns among drivers about the future direction of the sport. Key discussions were held regarding hybrid power unit regulations with representatives from multiple manufacturers, including Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.

Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, emphasized the need for cohesive collaboration among stakeholders to address any regulations’ issues that may arise. ‘We have a responsibility to protect the sport’s interests,’ Stella noted.

As the final practice session approaches, all eyes are on McLaren and their ability to maintain their competitive edge. Can they transform this practice success into qualifying and race performance? Fans remain eager for the answer.