Piastri Grabs Stunning Bahrain Pole Amid Mercedes Penalties and Verstappen’s Qualifying Nightmare
Oscar Piastri secured a sensational pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix, fending off a late challenge from George Russell in a dramatic qualifying session. McLaren looked to be in complete control throughout the session, but fortunes shifted in Q3 when Lando Norris encountered a costly setback, ultimately placing him in sixth for the race.
While Russell initially claimed second on the timesheets, he and his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli were slapped with one-place grid penalties for leaving their garages prematurely. As a result, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari benefits from their misstep, moving up to start alongside Piastri on the front row. Russell will now line up third, just ahead of Antonelli.
The session also brought frustration for reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who struggled with braking issues and could only manage seventh. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s underwhelming performance prompted an apology to Ferrari, acknowledging his lackluster effort. With tensions already high and the grid reshuffled, the stage is set for an unpredictable race in Bahrain.
