Winners and Losers from the Sakhir Circuit Showdown

The Sakhir circuit finally delivered a thrilling spectacle that tested the mettle of Formula 1’s ten teams. Here’s our analysis of who excelled and who faltered in this high-stakes race.

Winner: Oscar Piastri / Loser: Lando Norris

Lando Norris faced a tough weekend, struggling to maximize his car’s potential. In contrast, Oscar Piastri was untouchable, cruising from pole to his second win of the season. This impressive performance by the young Australian marks his fourth career victory, while Norris’ scruffy weekend may prompt some introspection.

Winner: George Russell

George Russell has become Mr Consistency, securing his third podium in four races. His performance in Bahrain was particularly impressive, as he skillfully fended off Norris’ late advances despite electronic issues, brake-by-wire failure, manual DRS use, a glitching dashboard, and 20+ lap old soft tyres.

Loser: Red Bull

Red Bull struggled in Bahrain, with Max Verstappen facing a lack of balance, grip, and poor pit stops. The team convened for a crisis meeting after the race, expressing concern about the weekend’s performance. However, Yuki Tsunoda had a decent weekend, finishing ninth.

Winner: Pierre Gasly

Alpine‘s season is finally gaining momentum as Pierre Gasly scored six points with a classy seventh-place finish. His excellent qualifying lap and consistent race performance were particularly noteworthy, despite losing sixth to Verstappen on the last lap.

Loser: Liam Lawson / Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson’s Red Bull move didn’t pan out, largely due to the team’s fault. His return to Racing Bulls hasn’t been successful either, with rookie Isack Hadjar outshining him so far. Lawson’s disjointed start to 2025 may cost him in the long run, as he grappled with DRS switch issues and midfield incidents that drew FIA stewards’ attention.

Winner: Haas

Despite starting from 14th and 20th respectively, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman delivered strong performances for Haas, trading places with the two Red Bulls. The team’s aggressive strategy and execution earned them valuable midfield points.

Loser: Aston Martin

Aston Martin struggled at Sakhir’s layout, with Fernando Alonso powerless to finish higher than 15th and Lance Stroll ending up in 17th due to a wrong set-up and understeer. The team faces aerodynamic issues, but they are still banking points in the midfield.