Red Bull cracks reappear as Piastri dominates - Bahrain GP Winners and Losers

Oscar Piastri comfortably converted pole position into victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, highlighting his definitive role in this season's title fight. 

Piastri led a McLaren one-three at the Bahrain International Circuit, as Mercedes' George Russell split the Australian and Lando Norris. 

An exciting grand prix saw a considerable focus on strategy due to significant tyre degradation. Red Bull suffered a miserable weekend, with the RB21 again creating issues for drivers Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda.

So, who has made the RacingNews365 list of winners and losers for the 2025 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix?

Winner - Oscar Piastri

Too often is the phrase ‘future world champion’ thrown around for rising F3 and F2 stars, but with Piastri it increasingly feels like it was on the money.

Since his heartbreaking mistake in the season-opening race on home soil in Australia, Piastri is yet to put a wheel out of place, unlike his McLaren team-mate. His Bahrain display was one of sheer dominance, converting pole position into victory with ease.

Not even a late safety car threw him off when it was a prime opportunity to buckle under the pressure.

Piastri is very much a title contender after moving just three points off the top, but is he, in fact, quickly becoming the favourite?

Loser - Lando Norris

Feeling uncomfortable in the car. That is what Lando Norris put his difficult weekend down to, despite having what is by far the strongest package on the grid.

If that is not enough for Norris to feel comfortable, then what is? Qualifying in sixth should never happen in a car as good as the MCL39, let alone then picking up a five-second time penalty for starting out of position.

Add to that, he had to give back a position to Lewis Hamilton after overtaking him off the circuit, and later locking up when in the perfect moment to overtake Mercedes' George Russell for second.

The unnecessary mistakes are piling up. As things stand, it will lose Norris any hope of becoming world champion this season.

Winner - George Russell

George Russell is quickly becoming the surprise underdog of 2025. Three podiums in four races have put him in an excellent position to take advantage should the McLaren duo trip over one another, further adding to his value in the driver market.

Out of contract maybe, but Mercedes would perhaps be deemed foolish not to quickly act and offer a new deal. Of course, Max Verstappen’s future is the big question mark.

Russell is not only leading Mercedes, he has propelled them into its best position in the current regulations. Most importantly, he looks comfortable doing so.

The Briton looked calm and controlled in second position, refusing to buckle under late pressure from Norris. A race win does not feel too far away for Russell.

Loser - Red Bull

It is scary just how much can change in a week. Rewind to Suzuka and Verstappen taking the fight to and beating both McLarens, then fast forward to him suffering badly in the RB21 in Bahrain.

Verstappen’s stunning Japanese Grand Prix performance may prove to be a plaster over Red Bull’s problems. Unfortunately, they can quickly fall off.

Brake issues were the major concern for Verstappen who again pushed the car to its limits in Bahrain, finishing sixth, whilst ninth was the best team-mate Yuki Tsunoda could salvage.

Red Bull knows it must deliver consistently, or risk losing the most valuable asset in F1.

Winner - Pierre Gasly

Despite major disappointment in being overtaken by Verstappen on the final lap in Bahrain, seventh for Pierre Gasly was a heroic effort.

Gasly was brilliant after qualifying on merit in fifth. A one-place grid penalty for Kimi Antonelli promoted him to fourth, a position the team could only dream of 12 months ago.

Gasly has been on it for the majority of the season and looks to be firmly in the fight to be crowned the leading driver from those in the midfield.

Faultless performances for the midfield drivers this year will result in occasional surprise results. Do not be surprised to see the Frenchman regularly in the top eight.

Loser - Nico Hulkenberg

Unfortunately, for Nico Hulkenberg, this was a weekend to forget in a hurry. He drove a respectable race to finish 13th for struggling Stake, beating drivers in better cars.

However, it is impossible to be disqualified and not make this article. A mistake was made by the team in setting up his car, given just how far below the legal limit was on the plank.

On the one hand, it does highlight the lengths the teams are going to in a bid for ultimate performance, but already this season four drivers have been disqualified from races.

Based on the volume of disqualifications so early this year, expect more in the coming rounds.