Oscar Piastri is cooking—and the rest of the Formula 1 grid better take notice. The 23-year-old Aussie has grabbed his second consecutive pole position of the 2025 season, this time lighting up the Bahrain International Circuit with a blistering qualifying lap that left even his teammate, Lando Norris, in awe.

Piastri clocked in a sensational 1:29.519, just edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by a razor-thin margin of 0.015 seconds. That’s not just quick—it’s elite.

After taking pole in the season opener in Melbourne, Piastri has backed it up in the desert heat, becoming the first McLaren driver to take consecutive poles since Lewis Hamilton in 2012.“It’s been a really good start to the year,” Piastri said after the session, downplaying the moment with his usual calm. “The car’s been feeling great, and we’ve taken a step forward since last year.”

But make no mistake: this wasn’t just a lucky run. Teammate Lando Norris, who will start third, didn’t hold back in heaping praise on the young Aussie.

“Oscar’s been on another level,” Norris admitted. “He’s raised the bar this season. If he keeps this up, he’s a genuine title contender.” That’s a big call—but it’s not unjustified.

Piastri’s 2025 campaign is quickly shaping up to be something special. McLaren’s upgrades over the off-season are clearly working, and both drivers look sharp, but it’s Piastri who’s putting together the kind of clean, aggressive laps that win championships.

Still, he’s not letting the hype go to his head.

“We’ve got a long race ahead,” he said. “Pole is great, but it’s Sunday that counts.”

True—but if Saturday is anything to go by, Sunday might just belong to Piastri.

🏁 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship Standings