The win in Bahrain also means Piastri jumps above defending champion, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, into second place in the championship standings on 74 points, and is now just three points behind teammate Norris in first place. Verstappen has 69 points.
The race saw a succession of technical issues for all the major teams. Russell had to deal with electrical problems on his car and was facing an investigation into his use of the DRS overtake aid system. Russell said it had opened when he pressed the button to use the radio.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri takes the lead from pole in Bahrain.Credit: AP
Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari after losing a hard-fought battle to Norris, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton started ninth but cut through the field to finish fifth.
Defending champion Max Verstappen was last at one stage but survived an overheating car and a slow pit stop to place sixth, passing Pierre Gasly, who was seventh for Alpine.
Esteban Ocon of Haas was eighth, with Yuki Tsunoda ninth for his first points since joining Red Bull, and Oliver Bearman 10th in the other Haas.
Formula 1 standings – the top 10
- Lando Norris (UK, McLaren): 77
- Oscar Piastri (Australia, McLaren): 74
- Max Verstappen (Netherlands): 69
- George Russell (UK, Mercedes): 63
- Charles Leclerc (Monaco, Ferrari): 32
- Kimi Antonelli (Italy, Mercedes): 30
- Lewis Hamilton (UK, Ferrari): 25
- Alexander Albon (Thailand, Williams): 18
- Esteban Ocon (France, Haas): 14
- Lance Stroll (Canada, Aston Martin): 10
With AP, Reuters
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