Ferrari will begin the Bahrain Grand Prix on the entrance row with Charles Leclerc. This is good news for the Italian facet in System 1, as Ferrari is ready to attempt to capitalize on this essential alternative due to 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 up to now, in full continuity with what had been seen within the final free observe classes.
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 observe. On the opposite facet, Charles Leclerc introduced his SF-25 to 3rd place—the very best consequence realistically achievable in the intervening time. The Monegasque beat his teammate by a full +0.598 seconds.
He did so by confirming that he had discovered a simpler method to extract efficiency from a posh 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 System 1 season. As already highlighted within the evaluation of the second free observe session, the SF-25 single-seater confirmed understeer, however to a lesser extent than in China and Japan.
Charles Leclerc is best at stitching collectively the racing strains, brushing the within curbs with better precision. Nevertheless, slight oversteer emerges in some sections of the observe, significantly throughout lift-off and transition phases. It is 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 knowledge 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 crucial 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” velocity hint rises earlier and extra steeply than the pink one, demonstrating simpler 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 increased cornering velocity (as much as +4 kilometers per hour), the Monegasque driver exits too extensive, having to delay throttle utility.
It is a level he and his engineer labored on extensively through the F1 weekend, attempting to maximise entry and mid-corner velocity, 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 enables for a a lot cleaner, extra linear, and speedy exit, with wonderful steering response.
His racing line seems extra composed, the results of well-centered stability and robust confidence within the rear finish. Persevering with by way of the lap, within the snake part (Turns 5-6-7), the delta nonetheless favors Oscar Piastri, who carries extra velocity by way of every nook—as much as +5 kilometers per hour, and particularly navigates these course modifications with outstanding ease. His steering factors exactly the place he desires to go.
This leads to a clear line, with none corrections, permitting him to persistently mount each inside curb. Charles Leclerc’s problem at this part is clear within the raise 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 observe.
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 observe 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 few tenth and a half faster than the Ferrari driver.
This hole is nearly solely concentrated in that nook. The McLaren sticks to the observe floor, exhibiting good stability: 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 unfastened, with even extreme rotation that, whereas serving to nook entry, complicates throttle reapplication. The identical state of affairs 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 secure working window in comparison with the McLaren.
Within the last a part of the observe, 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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