F1 2025: FIA announce Lando Norris PENALTY at Bahrain GP after Max Verstappen complaint

Lando Norris in front of the FIA flag — Photo: © IMAGO

Bahrain Grand Prix

FIA announce Norris PENALTY at Bahrain GP after Verstappen complaint

All the action from the opening laps of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 13 April 2025 17:19 Updated: 17:44

Lando Norris was hit with an early penalty by the FIA for a false start, after making his way up to third on the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen was heard over team radio reporting the false start, as he kept a beady eye on his rival from behind on the grid in seventh.

Norris' McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri managed to maintain his lead from pole position, but not without contact with George Russell who locked up into Turn 1 as he made it into second place.

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Norris enjoyed a spectacular start on the first lap where he rocketed his McLaren into third place from sixth, and crucially got ahead of Charles Leclerc.

Can Norris recover from Bahrain GP penalty?

Despite an impressive start, Norris was noted for a false start and was slammed with a five-second time penalty.

Leclerc however, was on the medium compound tyres whilst his McLaren and Mercedes rivals were on the softs, explaining why they managed to get a jump on the Ferrari during the early stages.

Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen spent the opening laps of the Bahrain GP fighting for eighth position, as the two rivals once again found themselves in close proximity.

The seven-time world champion started the race on the medium tyres compared to Verstappen on the softs, and played the long game during the opening stages as he hoped the Dutchman's tyres would start to drop-off.

Before they could battle for position, Verstappen made his pit stop where he tumbled down the order as he started his stint on the hard tyres.

Norris also pitted early with the medium tyres and served his penalty, which brought him out into fourteenth place.

F1 HEADLINES: F1 team hit by LATE Bahrain GP penalty as qualifying hit by farcical timing issue

Max Verstappen FIA Lando Norris Oscar Piastri George Russell Bahrain Grand Prix