McLaren-overfill Oscar Piatri has grabbed his second Formula 1 season victory with a title tire trip and is very close to the World Cup lead.
With his sovereign success at the Grand Prix of Bahrain, the Australian conquered second place in the overall ranking and is only three points behind his teammate Lando Norris.
In the last rounds, the Briton got third behind George Russell in the Mercedes. Norris was enough to leave Bahrain as a World Cup leader.
“I am very happy with this result, it was an incredible weekend,” said Piatri: “We have completed the job with style. I am very proud.”
“It was a hard and chaotic race, I made too many mistakes,” said Norris: “It is a little disappointing not to win the double victory here.”
Team boss Andrea Stella also criticized some criticism. Norris drove “a little unclean”, “otherwise we could have won the first two places.” Nevertheless, he is “very happy” overall.
It was much worse for world champion Max Verstappen: The Dutchman drove after a chance in the Red Bull and only finished sixth. As 14th without points, there was once again a clean pilot Nico Hülkenberg.
Already in training it had been evident that the McLaren had come to Bahrain with the much fastest car. Piatri in particular drove away from the competition and also secured the pole position ahead of Ferrari-Pilot Charles Leclerc and Russell in the qualification.
In contrast, team -mate Norris had astonishing effort. “I feel as if I had never driven a Formula 1 car before,” complained the Briton, who only made it to six. After all, Norris was a little faster than defending champions, for whom brake problems only ranked seventh.
Displustion frustration because of his car
“As I feel in the car, I can’t say on TV. Actually, nothing worked. This is a huge problem,” grumbled the Dutch. Just a week after his masterful journey to the unexpected victory in Japan, Verstappen was once more dissatisfied with his company car. Also on the introductory round before the start of the race, he breathed out his displeasure on the pit radio.
The four-time champion promptly fell back at the start and had to struggle in the front midfield from then on. In contrast, Norris rushed past three competitors on the first meters and was third after a few curves.
But that was not entirely possible with right things. Norris had parked a little too far in the starting line -up, as reported to the Verstappen next to him by radio. The racing commissioners determined and imposed and imposed five seconds due to a false start.
Ferrari collects leadership kilometers
Piatri controlled the action at the top. Norris grumbled his time penalty at the first tire change and started hunting for the podium. Piatri and pursuer Russell also came to the garage as planned. Leclerc and Ferrari colleague Lewis Hamilton now led the field for a while because they started with the somewhat harder and therefore more durable tires.
Everything sorted back in round 18. The question was who would earn an invitation to the award ceremony in addition to the sovereign Piatri. Russell, Norris or Leclerc – one would go away empty -handed.
Safety car brings excitement again
Verstappen, however, continued his whining about his car and the lack of tire liability. “Everything is overheated,” the 27-year-old bumped. Neuling Kimi Antonelli did not know any pity in Mercedes and drove past with a sparkling clean maneuver. Shortly afterwards Verstappen also had to let Hamilton steep. “I can’t even brake anymore, that’s ridiculous,” the world champion sparked.
Frustrated, Verstappen came earlier than everyone else to change the second tire and initially ordered himself back on the track. Then the safety car was used because debris was on the asphalt. Most drivers promptly got fresh tires.
Piatri skilfully defended his leadership in the restart. Team companion Norris fought a hard three -way battle with Leclerc and Hamilton and lost so valuable soil. In the end, however, Norris kept his nerves, overtook both of Ferrari, saving his World Cup lead.