Breaking:F1 2025 Standings: Max Verstappen demoted after Bahrain Grand Prix due to….read more 

F1 2025 Standings: Max Verstappen demoted after Bahrain Grand Prix due to….read more 

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has taken a significant hit in the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ standings after a disastrous outing at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver, who had a rough qualifying session and started the race from seventh on the grid, found himself outpaced and outmaneuvered throughout the weekend, allowing his rivals to capitalize.

Lando Norris, Verstappen’s closest competitor heading into the race, started just ahead of him in P6 and wasted no time making his presence felt. The McLaren driver had a blistering start, leaping up to third place in the early laps and putting himself in a strong position to extend his narrow one-point lead over the Dutchman in the championship.

However, the drama began almost immediately after lights out. Verstappen quickly radioed his team to report that Norris appeared to have positioned his car improperly in the starting box. The stewards reviewed the incident and handed Norris a five-second time penalty for his infraction. Despite the setback, Norris continued to show impressive pace throughout the race, managing to regain and hold onto third place by the time the checkered flag fell.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’s McLaren teammate, had a phenomenal drive and went on to win the Bahrain GP—his fourth career Formula 1 victory. With McLaren securing both third and first place finishes in Bahrain, the team now sits comfortably at the top of both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.

The updated standings confirmed by the FIA show Norris leading the drivers’ championship with 77 points, while Piastri closely follows with 74. Verstappen, who only managed to collect eight points after struggling with his RB21 throughout the race, has now dropped to third with 69 points. The championship battle is heating up, with just three points separating the McLaren duo and Verstappen now chasing from behind.

George Russell of Mercedes is currently fourth in the standings with 63 points, staying within striking distance of the top three. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is in fifth place with 32 points, while Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has impressed early in the season, claiming sixth with 30 points. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, holds seventh place with 25 points.

The rest of the field includes Williams driver Alex Albon in eighth with 18 points and Haas’ Esteban Ocon in ninth with 14. Lance Stroll rounds out the top ten for Aston Martin with 10 points. Further down, multiple drivers—including Pierre Gasly, Nico Hulkenberg, and Oliver Bearman—are tied on six points. Several others, including Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, are still searching for consistent form this season.

In the constructors’ standings, McLaren has pulled well ahead with 151 points, thanks to strong performances from both of their drivers. Mercedes sits in second place with 93 points, while Red Bull has fallen to third with 71. Ferrari trails behind in fourth with 57 points. Haas is fifth with 20, followed by Williams with 19 and Aston Martin with 10. The bottom three teams—Racing Bulls, Alpine, and Sauber—remain tightly packed with seven, six, and six points respectively.

Adding another twist to the 2025 season is a recent rule change: the removal of the point awarded for the fastest lap. Since its introduction in 2019, this bonus point often influenced late-race strategies, with drivers sometimes pitting for fresh tires solely to clock a quick lap. This practice drew criticism, particularly when it affected championship outcomes. One notable instance occurred last season during Daniel Ricciardo’s final race in Singapore, where he took the fastest lap—and a valuable point—from Norris despite finishing last, aiding Verstappen’s title effort. The rule’s removal is expected to reduce such tactical ploys, focusing the competition more squarely on race results.

As the paddock heads into the final leg of the season-opening triple-header, the championship picture remains wide open. With momentum clearly on McLaren’s side, Verstappen faces increasing pressure to turn his fortunes around and reclaim his place at the top.