In the second free practice session (FP2) of the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren showcased a formidable display, with Oscar Piastri leading teammate Lando Norris in a commanding one-two finish. Piastri clocked the fastest lap at 1:30.505, edging out Norris by 0.154 seconds. Mercedes’ George Russell secured third place, trailing Piastri by 0.527 seconds.
Top 10 FP2 Results
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:30.505 | — |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:30.659 | +0.154s |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:31.032 | +0.527s |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:31.045 | +0.540s |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:31.227 | +0.722s |
| 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:31.345 | +0.840s |
| 7 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:31.382 | +0.877s |
| 8 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:31.412 | +0.907s |
| 9 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:31.455 | +0.950s |
| 10 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:31.498 | +0.993s |
Piastri’s Precision and Norris’s Consistency
Oscar Piastri’s performance in FP2 was marked by precision and control, as he navigated the Sakhir circuit with remarkable efficiency. Lando Norris, maintaining his consistent form, secured the second-fastest time, reinforcing McLaren’s strong position in the constructors’ standings. Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website
Mercedes and Ferrari: Competitive Yet Chasing
George Russell’s third-place finish indicates Mercedes’ competitive edge, while rookie Kimi Antonelli’s fifth-place showcases his rapid adaptation to Formula 1. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured fourth, but the team continues to seek improvements to challenge McLaren’s pace. Reuters
Notable Performances and Challenges
- Isack Hadjar impressed with a sixth-place finish for Racing Bulls, highlighting his potential in the midfield battle.Motorsport.com+3Reuters+3Diario AS+3
- Max Verstappen faced handling issues, including brake concerns, resulting in a seventh-place finish. talkSPORT
- Lewis Hamilton, in his debut season with Ferrari, secured eighth place, continuing to adapt to his new team environment. talkSPORT
- Rookie Oliver Bearman delivered a commendable ninth-place performance for Haas, demonstrating his growing confidence.Reuters
- Carlos Sainz rounded out the top ten for Williams, contributing valuable data for the team’s development.PlanetF1+4Autosport+4Motorsport.com+4
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
As teams analyze FP2 data, McLaren’s strong performance positions them as favorites heading into qualifying. However, with competitors like Mercedes and Ferrari showing potential, the battle for pole position remains open.
The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix promises an exciting contest, with McLaren aiming to convert their practice dominance into race success.
