McLaren enters the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend with a bold goal: to break their winless streak at Sakhir and prove their championship ambitions. With three races down in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the team is on strong form, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull look to stay close in the title race.
McLaren has never claimed victory in Bahrain, but recent wins by Lando Norris in Australia and Oscar Piastri in China show the team is now a serious contender. This weekend could mark a crucial turning point.
McLaren Pushes Past History in Sakhir
Bahrain has historically been a tough track for McLaren. The hot desert climate, high tyre wear, and demanding corners have worked against them in the past. But things have changed in 2025.
At pre-season testing, the new MCL39 showed impressive pace. That early promise has turned into performance, with back-to-back wins highlighting McLaren’s strength in tyre management and race strategy.
Oscar Piastri, known for his calm approach, expressed rare optimism ahead of the race:
“This hasn’t been a good track for us in the past, but we’re as confident as we’ve ever been. We’re in a position to win this weekend.”
Verstappen Still in the Hunt
Max Verstappen remains close in the standings, just one point behind Norris. His win at Suzuka showed he’s still a major threat. But Japan’s low tyre wear and tight layout gave him an edge that might not apply in Bahrain.
Red Bull is still chasing more performance from their car. Bahrain’s long straights and abrasive track surface may expose their current limitations.
Another strong showing by McLaren could increase the gap, making it harder for Verstappen to defend his title.
Internal Strategy Questions at McLaren
With both Norris and Piastri performing at a high level, McLaren faces a new challenge: managing two drivers capable of winning.
After the Japan Grand Prix, Norris was vocal about the team’s conservative pit strategy:
“I’m here to win races, not settle for second. I would’ve preferred a more aggressive approach.”
There was also criticism that Piastri was not given the chance to challenge Verstappen in the closing laps. Some observers questioned whether the team is playing it too safe.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner weighed in on McLaren’s approach:
“They’ll take points off each other. Verstappen will just keep chipping away.”
Practice Results Show McLaren’s Potential
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella sees the dual-driver strength as a competitive advantage rather than a problem.
And practice results in Bahrain support that optimism.
- FP1: Lando Norris set the fastest time, finishing two tenths ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
- FP2: Oscar Piastri led the session, one tenth quicker than Norris and half a second faster than Mercedes’ George Russell.
- Max Verstappen: Finished seventh in FP2, nearly eight tenths off Piastri’s time.
These results underline McLaren’s grip on the track and their potential to dominate the race weekend.
Championship Implications
A win in Bahrain would not only mark McLaren’s first-ever victory at Sakhir but could also reshape the 2025 title race. With both Norris and Piastri showing front-running speed, the team is in a strong position to lead the Constructors’ Championship and push for individual driver glory.
The next challenge will be maintaining internal harmony and making bold strategic calls when it matters most.
If McLaren wins in Bahrain, the team will have won three of the first four races in 2025. That momentum could be key to building a lasting title push.
Whether it’s Norris or Piastri who stands on the top step, McLaren is sending a clear message: they are no longer outsiders. They are ready to challenge for the crown.