Red Bull Suffer Nightmare Session as Mercedes Star Forced to Retire at Bahrain Grand Prix
The 2025 Formula One season kicked off in dramatic fashion at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with a chaotic opening race that saw reigning champions Red Bull endure a nightmare session, while Mercedes’ hopes were dashed after a shock early retirement from one of their star drivers.
The Bahrain International Circuit, known for its challenging layout and demanding conditions, played host to an eventful race that may set the tone for an unpredictable season ahead. For Red Bull Racing, the event was nothing short of disastrous. Max Verstappen, the defending world champion, experienced a rare mechanical failure that forced him to retire mid-race — a stark contrast to his usual dominance. The Dutchman reported sudden power loss on lap 17, pulling into the pit lane with visible frustration. It was later confirmed by team principal Christian Horner that the issue stemmed from an unexpected hybrid system failure, catching the team completely off guard.
“It’s incredibly disappointing,” said Horner after the race. “We haven’t seen this kind of issue all through testing, and for it to happen in the first race is a real blow. We’ll be investigating thoroughly.”
To make matters worse for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, Sergio Perez also endured a forgettable race. Struggling with tyre degradation and rear-end instability throughout, Perez could only manage a 9th place finish, salvaging a few points but falling far short of expectations. The Mexican driver expressed frustration post-race, citing a lack of grip and an overall lack of pace as the key factors behind his underwhelming performance.
“Nothing felt right today,” Perez admitted. “The car wasn’t responding the way it should have, and we need to get to the bottom of why.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes found themselves both encouraged and disappointed by the Bahrain outing. George Russell impressed with a strong qualifying and race performance, securing a solid P2 finish behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who claimed the win with a commanding drive. However, it was a different story for Russell’s teammate Lewis Hamilton, whose race came to a premature end due to a suspected hydraulic failure.
Hamilton, who was making his final season debut with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari in 2026, pulled over at Turn 4 on lap 24 after losing steering control. The seven-time world champion appeared visibly disheartened as marshals pushed his car off the circuit.
“Not the way I wanted to start my final season with the team,” Hamilton said. “The car felt good early on, but something went wrong, and I lost all steering assistance. It’s tough, but we’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, capitalized on the misfortunes of Red Bull and Mercedes to deliver a flawless race. Leading from the front for most of the race, Leclerc looked untouchable as he crossed the finish line to secure his first win of the season and an early lead in the championship standings.
“This was the perfect start to the year,” Leclerc beamed after the podium ceremony. “The car felt great, strategy was spot on, and we kept it clean. Hopefully this is just the beginning.”
With McLaren’s Lando Norris finishing third, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso taking a respectable fifth place, the Bahrain Grand Prix showcased a tightening field, hinting at a potentially wide-open title race in 2025.
As the F1 circus now prepares for the next race in Saudi Arabia, Red Bull will be under immense pressure to respond, while Mercedes will be hoping for reliability to match their evident pace. One thing is certain: if the Bahrain Grand Prix is any indication, the 2025 season promises no shortage of drama, unpredictability, and fierce competition.
