Oscar Piastri claims Bahrain Grand Prix pole as Lando Norris struggles, Verstappen down in seventh
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in his milestone 50th Formula One race, continuing a strong weekend after topping two of the three practice sessions. His blistering lap of 1:29.841 kept him ahead of the field and put him in prime position to become the first double race winner of the season, following his recent victory in China.
"I've felt confident out there pretty much all weekend," Piastri said. "The others caught up a little bit closer than what I wanted but I still delivered the laps when it mattered, which was the most important thing at the end."
Teammate Lando Norris endured a difficult session, only managing sixth on the grid, and expressed his frustration afterward.
"The car is amazing, as good as it has been all season which is strong. Just I have been off it all weekend," said Norris. "I don't know why, just clueless on track at the minute. Just not quick enough, simple as that."
Mercedes’ George Russell initially qualified second but was handed a one-place grid penalty, promoting Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to start alongside Piastri on the front row. Russell’s rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli received a similar penalty for the same red-flag infraction, moving Alpine's Pierre Gasly up to fourth on the grid. Antonelli will now start fifth.
Max Verstappen, who was dominant at this circuit last year, struggled with braking issues and a lack of grip, leaving him seventh for Red Bull.
"I have no idea where we will be in terms of race pace. We'll be in the middle of the pack so hopefully a bit of excitement," said the reigning champion.
Williams' Carlos Sainz qualified eighth, with Lewis Hamilton ninth for Ferrari and Yuki Tsunoda 10th for Red Bull.
"Obviously as a driver you want more but considering what I had in practice, and it’s only my second race (for Red Bull), I’ll still take it," said Tsunoda.
The session included drama when Esteban Ocon crashed his Haas during Q2, triggering red flags after sliding backwards into the barriers. The French driver was later taken away in the medical car as a precaution.
Australian rookie Jack Doohan impressed with his best result so far, qualifying 11th for Alpine, ahead of Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar. Williams driver Alex Albon was initially knocked out in Q1, qualifying 16th, but was later bumped up to 15th after Nico Hulkenberg’s lap for Sauber was deleted for a track limits violation.
Hadjar’s teammate Liam Lawson had another disappointing outing, placing 17th in what has been a challenging start to the season.
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