Winners and Losers from Bahrain 2025

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Grand Prix under the floodlights is always a spectacle — but the 2025 edition cranked the drama up another notch. From strategic missteps and mechanical woes to breakout drives and brilliant comebacks, the Sakhir desert delivered a race filled with plot twists. Here's a look at five big winners and five who left the desert licking their wounds.

Winner: Oscar Piastri – McLaren’s Desert King

At the 22nd attempt, McLaren finally conquered Bahrain — and it was Oscar Piastri who ended the drought. With poise and pace, the Australian ace secured pole and followed it up with a clinical race win, leading from lights to flag in dominant fashion. It was his second win in three races, fourth of his career, and one that slashed Lando Norris’ championship lead to just three points.

His 15.499-second winning margin was the largest of the season — a statement drive from a rising star turning title contender.

Loser: Lando Norris – Fast Start, Fading Fire

It was a “messy” weekend for Norris, who struggled to find rhythm. Despite a decent recovery to P3 — including a brilliant pass on Leclerc — the Brit was overshadowed by his teammate throughout. His advantage in the title race now looks fragile, and as McLaren’s other car continues to shine, the pressure is firmly on the #4 garage.

Winner: Haas – From Last to Double Delight

After a dismal Saturday — with Bearman last and Ocon crashing in Q2 — few expected Haas to score. But Sunday flipped the script. Esteban Ocon surged to eighth, and Bearman carved through the pack to bag the final point in P10. It’s Bearman’s third straight points finish and leaves Haas P5 in the Constructors’ — a stunning turnaround that bodes well for the American outfit.

Loser: Max Verstappen – Everything Went Wrong

When Verstappen says “everything basically went wrong,” you know it wasn’t just a bad day — it was a rare implosion. Slow pit stops, poor tyre management, and an early loss of places saw him battle all race just to finish sixth. He salvaged it with a final-lap pass on Gasly, but the reigning champ looked mortal under the desert lights, slipping further from the top of the standings.

Winner: Yuki Tsunoda – Resilience Rewarded

Yuki Tsunoda fought through a chaotic build-up, traffic, and tyre troubles to secure ninth — his best result this year and the first points for Red Bull’s second seat in 2025. It might not grab headlines, but this was a milestone moment for Tsunoda and a reminder of his racecraft under pressure.

Loser: Aston Martin – Lost in the Dust

Whatever tyre compound they chose, nothing worked. Aston Martin’s pace vanished on race day, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finishing 15th and 17th respectively. A second consecutive race without points has left the team scrambling for answers and rapidly falling behind in the midfield fight.

Winner: George Russell – Grace Under Pressure

While others wilted, George Russell delivered a measured drive to second place, despite managing “all sorts of failures” in the cockpit. Under intense late-race pressure from Norris, Russell held firm — securing his best Bahrain finish, best result of the season, and a 14th straight points finish. Quietly consistent, he’s just 14 points off the championship lead.

Loser: Williams – Promise Unfulfilled

Williams looked sharp early in the weekend, with Carlos Sainz qualifying eighth. But a collision with Tsunoda forced his retirement, while Alex Albon’s race unravelled under the Safety Car, leaving him outside the points. A weekend that had potential ended with nothing to show — and just one point for Sainz so far in 2025.

Winner: Pierre Gasly – Alpine’s Guiding Light

Pierre Gasly turned heads with a superb qualifying performance and carried that momentum into the race. He ran solidly in the top six until a poorly timed Safety Car let Verstappen pounce. Still, P7 marked Alpine’s first points of the season — and a much-needed morale boost for the French squad.

Loser: Jack Doohan – Points Just Out of Reach

It was almost there for Jack Doohan. After a strong drive through the opening stints, the Australian rookie fell victim to pit stop timing and tyre disadvantage. Dropping from ninth to 14th after the restart, Doohan’s wait for a first F1 point continues — though Bahrain showed he’s got the talent to compete.

As the championship battle heats up and the grid heads to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain may well be remembered as the race that reshuffled the momentum — and revealed just who’s built for the heat of battle.