Oscar Piastri takes dominant pole position at Bahrain Grand Prix

SAKHIR–Oscar Piastri took the second pole position of his career and second in a row with a stunning lap at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Australian was the only driver to go under 1:30 around the Sakhir circuit, setting a lap of 1:29.841 to best his rivals and claim vital ground on the grid against his championship rivals.

"The others caught up a little bit closer than what I wanted, but yeah still delivered the laps when it mattered, which was the most important thing in the end," said Piastri.

"So very, very happy."

In Q3 it was George Russell who mounted an early challenge on the McLaren driver, just a tenth slower after the first set of fast laps.

The Mercedes drivers continued their challenge in the final stages, with Russell and teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli both taking the top spot, before Ferrari's Charles Leclerc entered the fray and jumped to second.

Piastri shone under lights on his final attempt, pulling out the fastest lap of the day to move back into the lead. With his McLaren teammate Lando Norris having a difficult lap, the Aussie's lap could not be beaten and the Australian secured a vital pole position.

"[I] felt like I've been comfortable all weekend, and there's no better place to start than on pole. So I can't thank the team enough for the car they've given me."

"I'm excited for the race tomorrow."

After a quiet start to the session, it was Fernando Alonso who hit the top of the timesheets before a flurry of activity saw Norris and Piastri move into first and second once every driver had set a lap.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was struggling, telling the team "there's something really wrong with the car" as he battled to keep his Red Bull on the circuit.

He was still able to set a lap quick enough to move to Q2, with Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Lance Stroll, and Ollie Bearman all eliminated after the first session.

It was all action in Q2, with Esteban Ocon pushing too hard and losing control in turn two and ending his session in the barriers.

Jack Doohan showed pace for Alpine in the early stages of qualifying, making it up to fifth at times in Q1, but narrowly missed out in Q2 and qualified eleventh.

The Aussie was joined by Isack Hadjar, Fernando Alonso, and Esteban Ocon in an exit after the second session, with Nico Hulkenberg qualifying 15th after his Q2 lap times were deleted from a track limits violation in Q1.

Oscar Piastri took an early lead in Q3 with the Mercedes drivers hot on his heels but was able to set the blistering final lap to secure pole position in the desert.

George Russell will start alongside him on the grid, with Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli on the second row of the grid. Norris struggled in Q3 and could only manage sixth behind the Alpine of Pierre Gasly, with Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda completing the top ten.

Piastri will line up in pole for the Bahrain Grand Prix with lights out at 1.00am AEST on Monday.

Watch every session of the FIA Formula One World Championship on Kayo Sports. Join now to get a 7-day free trial.