‘What a muppet!’ exclaimed Lando Norris of himself. Orange lit up the sky for Oscar Piastri, winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix for the ‘home’ team McLaren.

Piastri, 24 years and eight days old, unfurled his second victory of the season as if a formality from pole, in the end by 15 seconds over Mercedes’ George Russell. The margin would have been greater but for a safety car interrupting proceedings as shrapnel was swept from the track.