Verstappen 'concern' as Ferrari plagued by 'disease' - International Media reacts

Oscar Piastri sent a clear and ominous statement of intent to ignite the F1 drivers' championship fight at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The McLaren driver gave team-mate Lando Norris a "lesson in composure", according to the United Kingdom's The Times, whilst tension at Red Bull continues to reach an apex, particularly surrounding the supposed dissatisfaction of Max Verstappen.

Ferrari suffered yet another underwhelming weekend, with Italian media claiming its car, the SF-25, has been afflicted by a "disease" so far this year.

Here is how media from around the world reacted to the fourth round of the F1 season.

🇬🇧 The Times - 'Piastri gives Norris lesson in composure with effortless win in Bahrain'

British broadsheet The Times focused on the stark juxtaposition between Piastri and Norris' fortunes in Sakhir, with the former turning in his best performance in F1 since debuting at the same circuit two years ago.

Whilst Piastri is rightly lauded for his exploits, his McLaren team-mate is on the receiving end of some home truths, including emphasis on how much of a "meal" he made out of getting past Charles Leclerc, just one of the costly errors that prevented him from overtaking George Russell in the race's dying moments.

The Mercedes driver's fine display is well documented, with boss Toto Wolff's praise for an "unbelievable drive" punctuating his performance.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf - 'Max Verstappen is about to explode, but bites his tongue: 'This is where our problems really come to the fore''

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf tackled home hero Max Verstappen's palpable dissatisfaction with how his Bahrain Grand Prix weekend transpired.

The Dutchman insisted after the race that everything that could have gone wrong in Sakhir did, but otherwise chose to bite his tongue, as is highlighted by the headline.

The article centres on the difficult reality facing Red Bull: that its biggest problem is that there is not just one single problem.

🇮🇹 Corriere della Sera - 'Hamilton suffers the comparison with a moving Leclerc: Ferrari afflicted by a dark disease'

The Italian publication Corriere della Sera starts by observing how much Charles Leclerc needs a hug, before moving on to call Ferrari's start to the season "sad", with a particular focus on the struggles of Lewis Hamilton.

In particular, the 2025 car, the SF-25, gets a dressing down. "The SF-25 seems afflicted by some dark disease, despite weak progress," the article reads.

Whilst things were better in Bahrain, with Leclerc leading Hamilton home for a fourth and fifth-place result, it has not been the start to the year Ferrari hoped for - or expected.

🇩🇪 BILD - 'Marko: "The concern is great": Verstappen alert at Red Bull!'

German outlet BILD addressed the re-ignited rumours that Verstappen could look for a way out of his Red Bull contract.

It runs until the end of 2028, but Helmut Marko's post-race comments suggest there is significant internal "concern" that unless it can turn around its wayward form, the Dutchman will seek pastures new.

Marko said: "I'm very worried. As I said, there must be improvements in the near future that will enable him to win. We can't depend on random events like the rain in Brazil or the magic lap in Japan. We have to create a foundation that will enable him to fight for the world championship."

🇪🇸 El País - 'Piastri undisputedly achieves his second win of the season and McLaren shows off in front of its owners'

Spanish publication El País ran with Piastri's superb victory at the Bahrain International Circuit, but saved considerable space to underline the difficulty of the weekend Verstappen endured at Red Bull.

"The most reckless grand prix of the season so far unnerved Max Verstappen," the article states of the Dutchman, arguing not even the four-time F1 drivers' champion can "escape a bad day" from time to time.

Finally addressing Piastri and McLaren team-mate Norris, the article underlined how the Australian's victory was never in doubt. "Piastri was always out of reach of all his rivals," it read. "Norris, meanwhile, had to straighten out the misfire in qualifying that left him sixth."

🇦🇺 Herald Sun - 'Piastri makes world title statement in Bahrain masterclass'

Australian tabloid the Herald Sun focuses on national son Piastri and his F1 drivers' title tilt that looks well underway following his imperious display in Sakhir.

"Buckle up Australia because Oscar Piastri’s charge to the Formula One world championship is well and truly on," the piece starts by saying.

In particular, there was emphasis on how the 24-year-old left his rivals "eating his dust" en route to a routine win in Bahrain, including Norris, who apparently got a "huge helping hand from Melbourne's fickle weather" to triumph in the season opener.