We have had our first non-McLaren winner of the 2025 Formula One season, with Max Verstappen having delivered a masterclass on Saturday at Suzuka to pick up his fourth consecutive Japanese Grand Prix win. His win has also brought Red Bull back in the mix for wins alongside McLaren and Ferrari.
The season’s first triple-header moves to Bahrain for this weekend. For the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, here are our race preview and predictions.
Not as easy as it looks
After dominating the 2024 F1 season, which saw them win their first Constructors’ championship in almost three decades, McLaren kicked off this season as the overwhelming favourites. After picking up wins in Australia and China, it looked like they would lead the rest of the grid for the entire year. It still might be that way for the most part, but McLaren have found a worthy opponent after Max Verstappen’s win in Japan. With the Dutchman in their corner, Red Bull can go toe-to-toe with the reigning Constructors’ champions despite not having the fastest machinery on the grid.
Given that Ferrari and Mercedes have also shown strong pace in the opening races, there are multiple candidates for the win. At Sakhir, both Ferrari and Mercedes boast good records, while Verstappen has won the last two races here.
We should be in for another competitive weekend in Bahrain, with McLaren and Ferrari holding a slight edge over the rest.
Pole prediction: Lando Norris / Max Verstappen
Race winners prediction: McLaren / Ferrari
Consistency is key
This season has seen a fair few rookies kick off their F1 careers. Among the newest kids on the block, one driver who has had to fill some massive shoes is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has been fast-tracked into F1 to replace none other than seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
While Mercedes may not have the fastest car on the grid, they have one that is sufficiently competitive, and Antonelli has impressed in the opening rounds. The Italian followed his P4 finish on debut in Australia with two P6 finishes, not only picking up crucial points for the Silver Arrows but also showing strong race craft and skill to keep much more experienced drivers at bay.
Antonelli has shown that he belongs at the highest level. Count on him to have another solid weekend in Bahrain as the Silver Arrows look to keep themselves in the fight for the Constructors’ Championship.
Where are Aston Martin?
After a mediocre campaign last year, hopes were high in the Aston Martin camp as they brought in the legendary Adrian Newey to move up the field. After a promising sixth-place finish in the opening race for Lance Stroll, however, they have fallen back in the grid.
Fernando Alonso has failed to see the chequered flag in two of the opening three races, while the Silverstone-based team simply haven’t had the pace to compete with their midfield rivals. Alonso has picked up a podium in Bahrain for Aston Martin in the past, though, and the British team will hope for him to deliver once again and avoid drifting away from Haas and Williams in the Constructors’ Standings, with VCARB also threatening to overtake them.
Bahrain GP 2025: Race Details
Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit
Venue: Sakhir, Bahrain
Practice Session 1 time: 17:00 IST, April 11, 2025
Practice Session 2 time: 20:30 IST, April 11, 2025
Practice Session 3 time: 18:00 IST, April 12, 2025
Qualifying time: 21:30 IST, April 12, 2025
Main race time: 20:30 IST, April 13, 2025
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode
Leave a Reply