Sakhir: Oscar Piastri of McLaren secured pole position in Qualifying for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025, setting the fastest time at Bahrain International Circuit, the 'Home of Motorsport in the Middle East.'
According to Bahrain News Agency, McLaren delivered a strong performance in Sakhir, with Piastri clocking a final lap of 1:30.009 minutes to top the session, ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli took fourth place, while Pierre Gasly claimed a surprise fifth for Alpine. Lando Norris placed sixth after failing to improve on his final run.
Defending champion Max Verstappen continued to struggle with his Red Bull, citing brake issues, and finished seventh, ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, and Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda, who completed the top ten.
The early stages of Qualifying featured several surprises, including the exit of veteran Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin in Q2, who placed 14th, alongside his teammate Esteban Ocon, who suffered a heavy crash that brought out the red flag and temporarily halted the session.