McLaren Dominates Bahrain GP Qualifying with Piastri on Pole

BAHRAIN, April 12, 2025 – Oscar Piastri of McLaren secured pole position for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, clocking a blistering lap time of 1:29.841 at the Bahrain International Circuit. Teammate Lando Norris qualified in sixth, creating a seemingly mixed dynamic within the team ahead of the race scheduled for April 16.

Piastri’s performance marks a significant highlight for McLaren, which dominated practice sessions leading up to qualifying. With George Russell qualifying second for Mercedes and Charles Leclerc claiming third for Ferrari, the stage is set for a thrilling race. Piastri expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I felt confident out there pretty much all weekend… I still delivered the laps when it mattered.”

Norris, while satisfied with the team’s overall prowess, voiced concerns about his performance, saying he felt “a bit off” throughout the weekend. “No big complaints. The car’s amazing… I just need a big reset or something,” he added, emphasizing the pressure of competing in such a high-stakes environment.

The qualifying session was not without drama, as several drivers faced setbacks due to track limits violations, leading to lap times being deleted. Nico Hulkenberg’s controversial disqualification from Q1 after an infringement underscored the high tension of the session. Albon also experienced disappointment, exiting in Q1 along with other notable drivers.

Amid the challenges, Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, managed to climb from P6 to third during the earlier sessions, showcasing McLaren’s strong tire management capabilities, a key factor in the upcoming race strategy. “Our pace on Friday was strong and I want to do some overtaking,” Norris shared, hinting at an aggressive approach for the Grand Prix.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton qualified in ninth for Ferrari, expressing his commitment to improvement. “I’m just not doing a good enough job… It’s definitely not a good feeling, for sure,” Hamilton stated following his lackluster performance.

As teams prepare for the race, tire strategy remains a hot topic, with many expecting a two-stop approach due to the abrasive track surface. Piastri noted the varied tire selections among drivers, hinting at a degree of unpredictability for race day. “I think it’s a bit of a lottery,” he commented.

In the context of this season’s ongoing competition, Piastri’s pole position adds to McLaren’s credibility as strong contenders in 2025. Both drivers are aware that maintaining this momentum could play a pivotal role in their pursuit of championship points.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to commence at 6:00 PM local time on April 16, promising to be a thrilling battle as teams and drivers put their strategies to the ultimate test.