Oscar Piastri romps to victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix and closes the gap on Lando Norris in title tussle after McLaren team-mate finishes third

• Oscar Piastri dominated and claimed his second win of the season by 15 seconds
• George Russell finished second while Lando Norris came third after a late tussle 
• Piastri has closed the gap on Norris’ drivers’ championship lead to three points 

By JONATHAN MCEVOY

Oscar Piastri won the Bahrain Grand Prix to give his McLaren team’s owners their first victory on home turf.

The Australian, who started on pole, was dominant as he held off second-placed George Russell’s challenge in the Mercedes. It was Piastri’s second win of the season, by 15 seconds too, following his victory in China.

Lando Norris, who started sixth in the other McLaren, finished third and continues to lead the world championship standings, by three points over his junior partner.

Early days, of course, in the world championship fight but Piastri is showing his ambition, strength of purpose as well as outright skill.

Early days, again, to write off Norris’s fortitude but it can hardly be said that the Briton’s countenance this weekend suggested he is clear-minded enough to prevail – for now. Judgment over a longer stretch is his to mould.

However, he fought superbly hard and passed Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari at the start of lap 52 of 57 after a few failed attempts to claim his podium place.

Oscar Piastri dominated to win the Bahrain Grand Prix and cut Lando Norris’ title lead

Piastri powered home 15 seconds clear of George Russell, who finished second for Mercedes

Norris claimed a podium spot but his championship advantage is now just three points

Though hardly the most exhilarating spectacle under lights in this superb setting in the desert, it still showcased McLaren’s first win here. 

They are Woking based, a British sporting icon, but are owned by the Bahraini royal family and celebratory drinks were toasted with a sigh of relief in the paddock hospitality area as the chequered flag was waved.

Norris can take heart from aspects of his otherwise disappointing few days. He started sixth, over-shot his grid box, which earned him a five-second penalty, yet he still wrung as much as he could out of his superior machinery.

Leclerc finished fourth with Lewis Hamilton in the other Ferrari fifth, eight seconds behind his team-mate.

Max Verstappen was sixth for Red Bull – a tough night for him and them.

Fireworks, meanwhile, lit the sky for Piastri’s win. The celebration will last long.

Oscar PiastriLando Norris

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Oscar Piastri romps to victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix and closes the gap on Lando Norris in title tussle after McLaren team-mate finishes third

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