McLaren win thrown into doubt by shock safety car at Bahrain GP

A safety car deployment in the middle laps has thrown the Bahrain Grand Prix into chaos, with what looked like a dominant win now in doubt.

Debris from a collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Carlos Sainz had to be cleared off the track, kick-starting a chain reaction of pit stops as teams looked to make their final stop of the race.

As the safety car was deployed race leader Oscar Piastri was nearing the pits in the lead, giving him the perfect opportunity to pit and change his tyres whilst maintaining P1.

Max Verstappen was one of the drivers who did not pit and remained on medium tyres, promoting him to P8, but he was surrounded by drivers on fresh tyres.

Safety Car shakes up Bahrain Grand Prix

It did not take long for the marshals to clear the debris off the track before the session resumed, with Piastri breaking away from the pack early as Russell threatened him closely behind on the soft tyres.

Norris meanwhile duelled with the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton for P4, where the McLaren overtook the champion whilst leaving the track.

To avoid a penalty from the FIA, Norris gave the position back and produced the overtake later on, benefitting off fresh medium tyres.

Norris already found himself punished by the FIA at the start of the race, after he was noted for a false start and handed a five-second time penalty

READ MORE: Michael Jordan-owned 23XI drag F1 into their NASCAR legal battle

Related

Bahrain Grand Prix

Norris vs everyone and a Red Bull disaster: Bahrain Grand Prix notebook

• Yesterday 19:00

Bahrain Grand Prix

F1 2025 Results: Bahrain Grand Prix final classification with multiple penalties applied

• Yesterday 11:00