Berlin, 12 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Defending constructors' champions McLaren have dominated the first two practice sessions for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.

While Lando Norris topped the early practice, Oscar Piastri was fastest in the second session with the time of 1 minute 30.505 seconds, 0.154s ahead of his team-mate. George Russell of Mercedes was third.

Norris won the season opener Australian GP, with Piastri taking victory in the second race of the season in China.

But McLaren were dethroned last weekend when four-time defending champion Max Verstappen took Red Bull to the top of the podium at the Japanese GP.

The Dutchman was seventh in the second practice in Bahrain after he didn't take part in the first run. Ferrari were fourth and eighth with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton respectively.

Rookie Kimi Antonelli was fifth in the other Mercedes, while Yuki Tsunoda was 18th in the second Red Bull car.

Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson at Red Bull from the Japanese GP, but was again beaten by the New Zealander, who was 12th.

There were a handful of different faces taking part in the first session, with teams giving young drivers a chance to get a taste of F1.

Changes included Frederik Vesti replacing George Russell at Mercedes, Ayumu Iwasa replacing Verstappen at Red Bull and Dino Beganovic driving the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday after the third and final practice.

Ahead of the race in Bahrain, Norris tops the drivers' championship standings but Verstappen is just one point behind in second.

Photo: archive