11/04/2025 21:30
Max Verstappen tempered expectations ahead of this weekend's
Bahrain Grand Prix, despite defeating the McLarens in Japan.
However, the opening day of practice at the Bahrain International
Circuit proved Verstappen right to be cautious, as McLaren
dominated at the top of the timesheets. Verstappen only drove in
the second practice session after being replaced by Ayumu Iwasa for
FP1 but struggled at the wheel of the RB21 throughout. Red Bull's
current problem with tyres overheating was very apparent in
Bahrain. Oscar Piastri was eight-tenths faster than Verstappen,
leaving the Dutchman in seventh. Five-tenths of that was lost in
just the second sector, highlighting the RB21's issues with
changing direction and pushing the tyres. Verstappen was not the
only driver who failed to match the McLarens. George Russell
claimed third but was also five-tenths adrift. McLaren has the car
to beat. View the lap times from the second free practice session
below. The text continues after that. Long run Despite its short
run concerns, Verstappen's long run pace has usually been much
stronger and in contention with the McLarens - however, that is not
the case in Bahrain. Verstappen's disadvantage to the Woking-based
team is the biggest it has been since the season-opener and was the
fifth quickest driver on his long run simulation. Lando Norris was
six-tenths faster per lap than Verstappen on the same compound, but
was at his strongest compared to the Red Bull driver at the start
of his run. Of the top four teams, it is Red Bull with the most
work to do overnight. Verstappen suffered from understeer and
sliding in all directions as a result, making him burn through his
tyres faster. Red Bull needs a Suzuka-esque turnaround, or risk a
painful weekend compared to McLaren. View the data of the long runs
below!
