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Oscar Piastri can take charge of the Formula 1 title race from pole position in Bahrain

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Bahrain F1 GP Auto Racing

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia reacts after winning the pole position during the qualifying for the Formula One 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, in Sakhir, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) — Oscar Piastri can seize the initiative in the Formula 1 title race as he starts on pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday with his teammate Lando Norris and champion Max Verstappen both further down the grid.

Piastri held off an unexpected challenge from Mercedes driver George Russell to take pole in qualifying Saturday in a sign McLaren is still the F1 team to beat in 2025.