F1 Bahrain LIVE RESULTS: Piastri WINS chaotic race, Russell finishes second, Lewis Hamilton down in 5th – latest updates
OSCAR PIASTRI crossed the finish line first in what turned out to be a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix!
George Russell came second but accidentally opened up DRS and may face a penalty.
While Lewis Hamilton missed out on the podium altogether as the Ferrari racer finished 5th on the leaderboard.
- PODIUM: Piastri(1), Russell(2), Norris(3)
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Union Jacks dominate podium
Once again it was a successful day for the British drivers.
George Russell and Lando Norris just pipped by Oscar Piastri.
The Kiwi driver fully-deserved his win and drove the best race by far.
Credit: EPA Close but no cigar for Lando
Despite some attacking driving, it was not to be for Lando Norris in Bahrain.
Mainly due to the defending of Charles Leclerc, the Brit only had the chance to take on George Russell with too few laps remaining.
This should act as a learning curve for the young driver, the highs and lows of Formula One there for all to see.
Credit: EPA Highs and lows for Red Bull
Max Verstappen will be happy to forget this race quickly, nothing seemed to go his way and it was a struggle to finish sixth.
Some issues in the pits led to important seconds being lost for both drivers.
For Yuki Tsunoda, he will be pleased to have registered his first points as a Red Bull driver, finishing in ninth place.
President congratulates Kiwi in victory
As Oscar Piastri stepped out of his car, he was mobbed by all.
His team were overjoyed to get their first Bahrain Grand Prix win.
The McLaren driver was embraced by FIA President Mohammed Bin Sulayem afterwards.
Credit: EPA Race plan thwarted by hole
Carlos Sainz was driving well in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
It looked like he could get his best finish in his Williams car.
However, a coming together with Tsunoda left him with a huge hole in the side of his car, with debris all over the track.
This led to the introduction of the safety car but, more importantly, finally forced Sainz to retire from the race.
Credit: EPA Late spanner in works of race
There is nothing like the introduction of the safety car to completely change a Formula One race.
On this occasion, Piastri had a huge seven second lead, immediately cut back down after the green flag was shown.
The McLaren driver fortunately had the bit between his teeth and was not going to let this victory slip from his grasp.
Credit: Getty Russell glad to see chequered flag
Having to fight off Norris for the final stages of the Grand Prix, Russell worked hard for his second place.
After the race, he admitted speaking to Sky Sports, had there been another lap there was no doubt his compatriot would have taken him.
All of that is irrelevant now as the Mercedes' driver gatecrashed the McLaren party in Bahrain.
Credit: Getty McLaren reaping what they sew
Modifications to cars can make or break a season.
Whatever McLaren did to their car changed them from also-rans to a team looking to win a world championship.
As Andrea Stella posed for photos with the trophy, it seemed fitting for the team who have worked so hard to get to this place.
Credit: Getty Ferrari rewarded with extra point
Lewis Hamilton has been voted the 'driver of the day' in Bahrain.
Some attacking driving from the Brit seemed to impress all.
Although fifth place will not impress the former world champion.
Credit: @F1
There's no place like home
McLaren managed their first Bahrain victory and it tasted sweet.
Winning the Grand Prix on home soil, breaking their duck in the process.
What a way to celebrate, the party will continue all evening no doubt.
Credit: @F1 Bahrain Grand Prix results
Here are how the points were shared out today:
Credit: @F1 McLaren with another statement showing
If anyone is any doubt, McLaren are the team to beat.
Their car is firing on all cylinders and leaving everyone in their wake.
It seems this season, if you finish ahead of the McLarens, there is a good chance you have just won yourself a Grand Prix.
Credit: AFP Oscar's night in Middle East
Piastri receives his trophy for today's victory and what an impressive sight it is.
As the champagne flies everywhere, McLaren dominate the podium again.
This could prove to be a springboard for a special season for Piastri.
Credit: AFP Kiwi top of the tree in Bahrain
As the New Zealand national anthem plays, Oscar Piastri looks very happy with his performance this weekend and so he should.
While all the focus has been on his teammate, the McLaren driver has made a superb start to this F1 season.
One thing is for sure, this car is ready for business and will take some beating.
Credit: Getty Gremlins cause problems out on track
A lot of teams seemed to have issues with DRS in this race.
It remains to be seen if there is any action for George Russell who accidentally opened it up outside of the DRS zone.
However, Mercedes were not the only team reporting to their teams on the radio that they were having issues with it.
Watch this space.
Perfect end to the weekend
Speaking with Sky Sports, race winner Oscar Piastri gave his thoughts:
Great to have this result out here, it has been a fantastic weekend. Cannot thank the team enough for the car they have given us. It is an important race for us, on a track that has never been kind to us, so to get that first win is something special. Despite the restart, I was never going to let that one go. Am sure it is going to be one hell of a party now.
Oscar PiastriMcLaren grab first-ever Bahrain victory
Oscar Piastri is the man of the moment in Bahrain.
A superb drive saw him lead from start to finish, only a pit stop was able to see him drop off top spot.
His victory could have been greater but a late safety car reduced that drastically.
What a weekend for Oscar Piastri.
Credit: Reuters Bahrain Grand Prix results
Here are the results from an amazing Grand Prix today:
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Estaban Ocon (Haas)
Oscar Piastri wins the Bahrain Grand Prix
Lap 55/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second
Russell accidentally opened up DRS and may face a penalty.
This could really work to the advantage of Norris but we will not find out the result of that until after the race.
You cannot open up DRS outside of the zones and the Mercedes driver did just that.
Norris is given a final warning for exceeding track limits, it is all going on in the final stages here.
Credit: Getty Lap 53/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second
The most interesting battle now is for third place.
If Leclerc can hold onto this, it is debatable if he has ever worked harder for third place on the podium.
Piastri continues to clock new fastest laps, Russell seems to have no chance in closing the gap to the leader.
The Mercedes reports to his team on the radio that he is having issues with the gears now.
Norris finally gets ahead of Leclerc, the Ferrari just did not have the grip to hold him off.
Lap 51/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second
Leclerc is having to use all his experience here.
Norris is constantly trying to take him but the Ferrari is holding him off.
If things stay this way, Piastri will be the leader in the driver's championship.
Lap 49/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second
Sainz is forced to retire due to the state of his car.
Meanwhile, Piastri is clocking the fastest lap time, underpinning how he is going for the win here.
He leads Russell by 4.3 seconds as it stands.
Norris is continuing to pile pressure on Leclerc but a lock up costs him the chance to attempt an overtake.
Lap 47/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second
Both of the Ferraris are in good positions to push for a podium.
Leclerc's main concern is trying to hold off Norris however.
Sainz has a massive hole in the side of his car, the cause of the safety car, but is is affecting performance massively.
Norris misjudges a move and is forced so wide on the corner, costing him important seconds.
Lap 45/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second
Doohan is still in ninth and in line for his first points if he holds it.
Also, Tsunoda is set for his first points as a Red Bull driver.
This could all change in the final stages however.
Russell is still matching the pace of Piastri out front.
Credit: Getty