“The Australian clinched the fourth race of his career with a show of strength in Bahrain. In contrast, Lando Norris (3rd) made several mistakes. In the Championship, the two McLaren drivers are neck and neck, but the momentum is in favor of the day’s winner.
Was it better to witness the victory of a likely future world champion or the embarrassing performance of one who dreams of being so? The Grand Prix director didn’t even attempt to deceive. It was better to broadcast the spectacle, even if it was messy, especially messy, of Lando Norris, rather than the sad and overwhelming demonstration of Oscar Piastri, where only icy perfection is apparent.
If it’s too late to advise the Formula 1 director. However, there is still time to whisper in the ear of Zak Brown, the boss of McLaren, that he will need to keep more than an eye on our smiling Australian ice cube, who clearly took another step forward in his ascent to the top on Sunday. If the Australian continues at this pace, it is possible that this Bahrain Grand Prix will be remembered as a passing of the baton between Norris and him.
Last week, Piastri lost the Japan GP on Saturday due to a mistake in qualifying. This week, he promised himself not to repeat it. Author of the first hat-trick of his career (pole, fastest lap, and victory) this weekend in Sakhir, Mark Webber’s protégé is emerging as a serious contender for the 2025 throne. “I am delighted with this flawless weekend,” he said, with his characteristic calm. “And I am very happy to leave with another victory.”
Lando Norris, on the other hand, confirmed that he remains very fragile mentally when he climbs to high altitudes. While Max Verstappen had to deal with an erratic car and questionable strategic choices, the Briton lost his way during qualifying, condemned to start alongside the Dutchman… in the third row.
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On the grid, the British driver skidded, unable to keep his car in position, and eventually overshot his spot by several decimeters. Cunningly, Verstappen didn’t miss the opportunity to report his opponent’s blunder to the race management. The Grand Prix had barely started when the Championship leader was slapped with a five-second penalty. Meanwhile, his teammate was confidently leading lap after lap.
Lando Norris
“Every time I did something right, I followed it up with two mistakes.”
The rest of the race followed a similar pattern for both McLaren drivers. Car number 81 took off, never to be seen again, even during the restart after the end of the safety-car period. The car bearing number 4 continued to draw attention for its confused attacks and errors unworthy of a world championship contender. “The car is fast, my teammate won the race,” Norris admitted, with an awkward smile.
It was painful to watch him struggle, behind the wheel of the best car on the grid, trailing behind Charles Leclerc‘s Ferrari. “Second place is where I should have finished,” Norris analyzed, philosophically. “Every time I did something right, I followed it up with two mistakes. I don’t feel the car like I did last year when it was mega. Now, I don’t have confidence.”
The four scribbles of Lando Norris’s draft at the Bahrain Grand Prix
In the final laps, he was held up by his fellow Mercedes driver, George Russell, who was struggling with electronic issues on his Mercedes. Toto Wolff’s protégé continues to impress with his consistency and regularity at the front: despite the concern of a faulty DRS that almost demoted him, he now has three podiums in four GPs. “It wasn’t easy to defend against Lando,” Russell admitted. “Especially since I had my own issues on the steering wheel to manage. I was relieved when the checkered flag came out. Probably one of my best second places. I’d like to consider myself a title contender, but the McLarens are too strong.”
Oscar Piastri claimed his second victory in four GPs, driving a car he enjoys. “Sometimes it can be tricky,” he acknowledged. “But I feel comfortable in it and I can do what I want with it.” Unlike Norris, who now only has a three-point lead over him.
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As a sign of his dominance in Bahrain, Oscar Piastri achieved his first hat-trick (pole, fastest lap, and victory). Among active drivers, he is only the sixth to do so. Norris and Leclerc have 2 each; Alonso, 5; Verstappen, 13 and Hamilton 19.
The report card of the Bahrain GP
