Top 5 best and worst performers from the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix

The qualifying session at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix was surprise-packed as McLaren's Oscar Piastri was crowned the top performer. For his 50th Formula 1 race, the Aussie driver took pole in an almost blemish-free lap that set him firmly in the spotlight among the up-and-coming stars of the sport. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Mercedes promised bright signals, with Red Bull appearing to self-destruct again under pressure.


Oscar Piastri built on his 2025 beginning with a confident charge to pole position in Bahrain. The McLaren driver was unhindered throughout the three practice sessions and was leading the pack in terms of control and speed throughout.
Lando Norris, though, will be left to wonder what could have been. A catastrophic error on his final flying lap put him sixth—five behind his teammate and ahead of only title hopeful Max Verstappen.

Mercedes established themselves quietly with George Russell grabbing the front row alongside Piastri. The W16 is more competitive on certain circuit conditions, and Russell's performance indicates that they will be battling for podiums more and more frequently.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also went above expectations with a solid P3 finish. With Lewis Hamilton struggling in ninth place, the pressure was on Leclerc to perform, and he did so, putting his car ahead of more potent rivals in what might be a turning point for his 2025 season.

Red Bull Racing experienced another below-par weekend, with Max Verstappen only managing seventh and Yuki Tsunoda finishing in the top ten. Verstappen retired several laps during the session, reporting grip and car balance problems. Red Bull's 2025 performance has been inconsistent, and Bahrain's effort will cause more internal questioning.
Aston Martin's woes continued, with Fernando Alonso managing only 14th and Lance Stroll falling to 19th. A setup error is reported to have hindered Stroll's performance, but the team's general form is far below last year's standard, so points are a forlorn hope.

Pierre Gasly of Alpine was one of the day's better stories, claiming P5 with a lap that beat both Norris and Verstappen. His late-season 2024 pace appears to be coming back at just the right moment.
Carlos Sainz impressed, getting his Williams into the top ten with his best qualifying session since he departed Ferrari. Sainz's consistency and the team's increasing defensive prowess may earn him precious points.

Race control was called into question after the slow track limits call undermined Alex Albon's practice; Haas was beset by both speed and reliability. An eleventh-hour request by the stewards for Nico Hulkenberg's Q1 track limits infringement generated controversy, particularly after it came 40 minutes late to allow Alex Albon a fair chance to carry on. The decision deprived Albon of a chance at Q2, sparking raised eyebrows over F1's standards of officiating.
Also read: Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 race results
Meanwhile, Haas had a nightmare session. Oliver Bearman's premature retirement and Esteban Ocon's Turn 2 crash had left the team with a ruined car and zero competitive starting grid to its credit.