Piastri Powers to Bahrain Win as Norris Duel Heats Up

Oscar Piastri seals dominant Bahrain victory, cutting Norris’ lead to just three points as McLaren’s title battle gets serious.

Oscar Piastri couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Starting from pole, the Australian drove a calm, commanding race to take victory in Bahrain — his second of the season and the fourth of his Formula 1 career. He now sits just three points behind Lando Norris in the championship standings.

Without his late off-track moment in Australia, he might already be leading the title race.

More importantly, Piastri seems to have taken a big step forward this year. He’s faster, more consistent, and growing in confidence. Could he become McLaren’s title frontrunner — or even the man to beat?

“It was a great weekend — apart from FP1, which was a bit of a mess for everyone,” Piastri said with a smile after the race. “But from FP2 onwards, things really clicked. Qualifying was key, and I’m happy with how it all played out. Another win feels really good.”

Strategy and Execution on Point

Like most of the frontrunners — excluding the Ferraris — Piastri started on soft tyres, a call that paid off.

“We expected most teams to go with the softs. George [Russell] only had a medium and a hard left, and it was the same for a lot of others,” Piastri explained. “So the softs made sense, and I think it was the right move. We managed the race well, the pace was strong, and we never had to push too hard. Every decision worked.”

One minor hiccup? His drinks system failed mid-race. When his engineer reminded him to hydrate, Piastri responded coolly: “I’d love to — if it worked.”

“It was working during the formation lap. Then in the race, the bottle gave me a bit of water, but I had to suck really hard. After that — nothing. Not ideal, but Bahrain isn’t the most physical race. If it had happened in Saudi Arabia, it would’ve been much worse. We’ll sort it.”

The Best Car, and the Best Driver?

Piastri believes McLaren has built the best car on the grid. And with performances like this, some might argue they also have the best driver behind the wheel.

“I think both the car and I are performing well,” he said. “Not every result this season has gone our way, but this weekend was exactly what I was aiming for. I’m proud of what I’ve done, and even more proud of the team. The car’s fast, sometimes a bit unpredictable, but overall, it’s a joy to drive.”

Bahrain hasn’t been a strong track for McLaren in the past, which makes this weekend’s dominance even more meaningful.

“The fact we were this strong here — even beyond the win — is something to celebrate.”

Some observers suggest the McLaren might suit Piastri more than Norris, who has voiced concerns over handling. Piastri, however, says he’s felt at home in the car lately.

“This weekend, definitely. I’ve felt comfortable. There have been trickier moments, but overall, I’m happy. We knew from winter testing that there were areas to fix — and we’ve addressed them well. After a weekend like this, I feel really confident in what the car can do. The team’s done an amazing job.”

A Championship Battle Brewing

With just three points separating them, the fight for the championship could soon become a head-to-head McLaren duel between Piastri and Norris. The Australian isn’t ruling out other challengers just yet — but he knows who his main rival is likely to be.

“Right now, we’ve got a great car, and we’re making the most of it. The positions we’re in are deserved. I think there’ll be other contenders, but no one has been consistently at the front every weekend. That gives us an edge.”

“It’s going to be a tight season. And as long as we’ve got the best car, the fight between Lando and me is going to be intense.”

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Piastri Powers to Bahrain Win as Norris Duel Heats Up Piastri Powers to Bahrain Win as Norris Duel Heats Up