F1 News: Superior McLarens trounce opposition in Bahrain GP FP2

McLaren has delivered an ominous warning in free practice 2 for Formula 1’s 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The McLarens, putting their cheater Flexi-Wings to good use, were so far ahead in the 2nd practice session, the others may as well stay home.

Oscar Piastri turned the fastest lap at 1m30.505s to beat teammate Lando Norris by 0.154s. Norris was quickest in Practice 1.

George Russell was third for Mercedes, 0.527s behind the McLaren of Piastri when all the qualification simulation runs were done.

Charles Leclerc was 4th for Ferrari, 0.540s behind the McLaren.

Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top-5 for Mercedes, 0.722s behind the McLarens.

Isack Hadjar was 6th for Racing Bulls, ahead of the #1 Red Bull sled of Max Verstappen, 0.825s behind the McLaren of Piastri.

Lewis Hamilton was 8th in the #44 Ferrari, 1.071s off the top pace while Oliver Bearman and Alex Albon rounded out the top-10.

Yuki Tsunoda endured a challenging session in the second Red Bull as he settled for 18th in the Red Bull sled, 0.7s slower than his teammate.  At this point, he must wish he was still driving the faster Red Bull ‘B’ team cars of the Racing Bull team.

Fernando Alonso’s opening track action in Bahrain meanwhile was being delayed by a steering wheel change on his Aston Martin.

Not only was the steering wheel switching itself off, it also came off in Alonso’s hands in the approach – thankfully slowly – into the final turn as he took to the run-off.

That prompted a visit to the Aston Martin garage from FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer.

Only one practice session remains, and it is going to be in the daylight, before the McLarens lock out the front row Saturday afternoon.

2025 Bahrain GP Practice 2 Results