With that same scenario playing out in the days ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix — the McLaren duo again trading times atop the leaderboard while Verstappen sounded the alarm about the RB21 being “too slow” — many wondered if the Red Bull driver would still find a way to take pole position in the desert.

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been demoted in the 2025 drivers' championship standings following a nightmare weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri converted his dominant pole position into a crushing Bahrain Grand Prix victory, with much of the multitude of action in the pack behind involving his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The result gives the Australian a fourth Formula One career victory and moves him to second in the 2025 world title standings,