Bahrain GP Highlights
The Bahrain Grand Prix brought the heat in more ways than one — both on the track and off. Under scorching desert conditions, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team delivered a stellar performance, securing another podium and continuing their most promising season start since 2021.
Here’s a breakdown of the weekend’s standout moments:
From Desert Disappointment to Desert Delight
For George Russell, Bahrain was once a scene of heartbreak during his 2020 Mercedes debut. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s rewriting that narrative with a gritty, well-earned podium.
Russell bounced back from a grid penalty with an aggressive start and closed the race with a nerve-wracking 24-lap stint on Soft tyres. All this, while fending off Lando Norris and nursing a struggling W16 — a true test of resilience.
This podium marked George’s first in Bahrain and his third top-three finish in just four races. His 63 championship points already surpass his best season start from 2022, and he now holds an active streak of 15 Q3 appearances and 14 consecutive races in the points.
Saturday Speed: Best Quali of the Season
For only the second time since last summer, both Mercedes cars qualified within the top four.
George’s P2 echoed his breakthrough drive here back in 2020, while Kimi pulled off a personal best with a P4 — an impressive achievement for the team’s newest star. It was also the first time the team placed both drivers in the top four in Bahrain under the current car regulations.
However, a miscommunication during Q2 — sending both cars into the pit lane too early after a red flag — led to a post-session penalty that dropped both drivers a position on the grid. Still, the raw pace displayed in qualifying was undeniable.
Kimi’s Growth Continues
Although his race result didn’t reflect it, Bahrain marked another key step in Kimi’s development.
He qualified just three-tenths off pole — a massive feat in only his fourth F1 weekend. His qualifying progression has been clear: P16 in Australia, P8 in China, P6 in Japan, and now P4 in Bahrain.
Race day was tougher. After a bold start, Kimi struggled with tyre degradation under the punishing desert conditions. A three-stop strategy became necessary, but a late Safety Car eliminated any strategic advantage.
Nevertheless, every lap adds to Kimi’s learning curve — and Bahrain will be a valuable chapter in his F1 journey.
Cool Heads in the Heat
The unsung heroes of the weekend were the Mercedes garage crew. Working long shifts in full fireproof gear under extreme heat, they kept the operation running like clockwork.
From the 35°C heat of Thursday practice to the relatively “cool” 26°C on race night, the conditions pushed everyone to the limit. Their commitment ensured that both cars were competitive from start to finish.
For more information, visit : Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
