MOTORSPORTS

Photo Credit: Getty Images

World champion Max Verstappen put Red Bull on pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in track-record time on Saturday as McLaren's Formula One leader Lando Norris hit the wall and qualified 10th. McLaren's Oscar Piastri, bidding to become the first Australian to lead the standings since Mark Webber in 2010, joined the four-time world champion on the front row for Sunday's night race.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, leading from pole to the chequered flag to claim his second win of the 2025 Formula One season. The McLaren driver became the first repeat winner this year and slashed the championship gap to teammate Lando Norris to just three points after four races.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Max Verstappen has brushed aside fears of a possible Red Bull exit, saying on Thursday "I'm just focusing on driving". The notion of the four-time world champion walking away from Red Bull was raised by the team's advisor Helmut Marko. Marko told Sky Germany that he had "great concern" Verstappen could find another team unless Red Bull upped their game. He was speaking in the aftermath of a disappointing weekend in Bahrain where Verstappen could only finish sixth, three places ahead of his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda, behind a dominant show by McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ferrari are seeking an uptick in their fortunes at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend after a lacklustre start to the season. Lewis Hamilton's sprint win from pole in China apart, the Scuderia have yet to make much of an impact - Charles Leclerc's fourth in Japan last weekend their best result.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Oscar Piastri will become Australia's first Formula 1 championship leader in 15 years if the McLaren racer wins for the third time this season in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The 24-year-old, one of four drivers who could end the weekend on top after a tiring 'triple header' run of races on three successive weekends, is the only repeat winner so far in 2025.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

World champion Max Verstappen killed the idea that McLaren might absolutely dominate the Formula 1 season with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix at the weekend, but the Dutchman was by no means certain he would be able to repeat the feat elsewhere.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton sounded more positive about his learning curve at Ferrari after reporting a "night and day" difference in his car's handling in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix compared to Saturday's qualifying. The seven-time world champion had struck a despondent note after qualifying only ninth with teammate Charles Leclerc promoted to the front row of the grid after Mercedes' George Russell was demoted.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ferrari's anticipated title challenge again failed to materialise at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc finishing in fourth place and Lewis Hamilton in seventh, and both drivers complaining about the performance of the car.