Ferrari will begin the Bahrain Grand Prix on the entrance row with Charles Leclerc. This is good news for the Italian aspect in Method 1, as Ferrari is ready to attempt to capitalize on this essential alternative because of the double penalty obtained by the Mercedes drivers. The Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying confirmed the wonderful type of Oscar Piastri, who delivered an impressive efficiency to crown an ideal weekend thus far, in full continuity with what had been seen within the final free apply periods.
The younger Australian was extraordinarily efficient in placing the lap collectively, totally exploiting the potential of a well-balanced and exact McLaren at each level on the monitor. On the opposite aspect, Charles Leclerc introduced his SF-25 to 3rd place—the best consequence realistically achievable for the time being. The Monegasque beat his teammate by a full +0.598 seconds.
He did so by confirming that he had discovered a more practical technique to extract efficiency from a fancy and infrequently unpredictable automotive, as we identified on this article. An encouraging signal, contemplating the difficulties confronted within the first three races of the 2025 Method 1 season. As already highlighted within the evaluation of the second free apply session, the SF-25 single-seater confirmed understeer, however to a lesser extent than in China and Japan.
Charles Leclerc is healthier at stitching collectively the racing traces, brushing the within curbs with larger precision. Nonetheless, slight oversteer emerges in some sections of the monitor, significantly throughout lift-off and transition phases. This can be a minor annoyance that barely impacts efficiency, though in some circumstances the Monegasque driver has been capable of flip this trait to his benefit.
Telemetry information evaluation instantly reveals a vital element within the first sector: Charles Leclerc loses vital floor popping out of Flip 2, some extent the place wonderful traction is important with the intention to launch towards the straight resulting in Flip 3. Right here, the McLaren MCL39 shines: the setup of the rear dampers seems to be extra tuned to fast compression, serving to the automotive to settle successfully and launch torque extra progressively.
The “papaya” pace hint rises earlier and extra steeply than the purple one, demonstrating more practical traction and higher mechanical reference to the rear. On the finish of the second DRS zone, getting into Flip 4, Charles Leclerc loses one other tenth. Regardless of having larger cornering pace (as much as +4 kilometers per hour), the Monegasque driver exits too extensive, having to delay throttle utility.
This can be a level he and his engineer labored on extensively throughout the F1 weekend, making an attempt to maximise entry and mid-corner pace, even at the price of barely sacrificing the exit section. Oscar Piastri, against this, adopts a extra conservative method on entry to Flip 4, lifting off sooner than Charles Leclerc. This permits for a a lot cleaner, extra linear, and instant exit, with wonderful steering response.
His racing line seems extra composed, the results of well-centered steadiness and powerful confidence within the rear finish. Persevering with by means of the lap, within the snake part (Turns 5-6-7), the delta nonetheless favors Oscar Piastri, who carries extra pace by means of every nook—as much as +5 kilometers per hour, and particularly navigates these path adjustments with exceptional ease. His steering factors exactly the place he desires to go.
This leads to a clear line, with none corrections, permitting him to constantly mount each inside curb. Charles Leclerc’s issue at this part is clear within the carry he has to use between Turns 6 and seven—about 15% greater than the Australian—indicating that the Monegasque was not solely assured together with his automotive on this a part of the monitor.
Heading towards the tip of the second sector, Charles Leclerc begins to get well some floor, even in corners like Flip 10, the place he was dropping vital traction within the second free apply session on Friday. However Flip 11 stays a weak spot: the quantity 81 MCL39 continues to make the distinction right here, giving Oscar Piastri a second sector time of 38.574, a couple of tenth and a half faster than the Ferrari driver.
This hole is sort of solely concentrated in that nook. The McLaren sticks to the monitor floor, exhibiting excellent steadiness: no steering corrections, no hesitation, only a easy and composed development. The Australian driver can open the throttle a lot earlier and with a stability that lets him energy out strongly with out compromising his line. Charles Leclerc, against this, finds the rear finish too free, with even extreme rotation that, whereas serving to nook entry, complicates throttle reapplication. The identical scenario repeats at Flip 13, the place the papaya automotive dominates the micro-sectors. The Ferrari SF-25, although not behaving dramatically, reveals extra corrections, an indication of a narrower and fewer steady working window in comparison with the McLaren.
Within the remaining a part of the monitor, as soon as once more, the British automotive seems to have extra rubber left to take advantage of, managing to maximise grip even within the closing elements of the lap, when tire situation begins to degrade. This means higher thermal administration and a extra even load distribution between entrance and rear, permitting Piastri to push all the best way to the ultimate meter.
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