Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025 FIA Formula One World Championship
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix
Bahrain International Circuit
Sakhir Desert, Bahrain
Sunday, 13 April 2025
After finishing third at the Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri will be aiming to build the momentum going into the
Bahrain Grand Prix which will be taking place on Sunday, 13 April.
Piastri celebrated his 24
th birthday with a podium finish at the Japanese GP, becoming only the seventh F1 driver to achieve this feat. He finished third behind Max Verstappen and his teammate Lando Norris.
The Australian believed that he had the pace to get past Verstappen last Sunday and possibly make it back-to-back wins after his win in China.
It ended up being a frustrating birthday for him, as he was left to reflect on what could’ve been if his team heeded his request with nine laps left for a crack at the Dutchman’s lead, since he was quicker than Norris at the time.
“I felt if I had track position I could go and get Max but that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately. I at least asked the question. I think that was a fair response,” said Piastri.
Verstappen's masterful qualifying lap, which secured him pole position, put McLaren at a disadvantage from the start of the Japanese GP.
Despite this, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella emphasised that team interests remain paramount and downplayed suggestions that Piastri was faster than Norris, attributing the latter's performance to tyre management.
“We are here first of all to beat the other teams and put McLaren in a very strong position,” Stella said.
“When McLaren is in a strong position, then that’s the best position for the two drivers to pursue their aspirations. This is very clear to the team, very clear to the drivers.”
Despite being out qualified, Piastri is optimistic about his race pace heading into the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, acknowledging his subpar qualifying performance in Japan.
2025 Japanese Grand Prix results:
Winner: Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
Second-place: Lando Norris – McLaren
Third-place: Oscar Piastri – McLaren
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