Formula 1 is heading to Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first night race of the 2025 season.
After Max Verstappen`s impressive victory in Suzuka, McLaren will aim to respond strongly at a circuit where they performed well in pre-season testing.
Lando Norris currently leads the Drivers` Championship by a single point over Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri trailing his McLaren teammate by 13 points.
Mercedes is the closest competitor to McLaren in the Constructors` Championship, but they are 36 points behind after three races.
Despite Lewis Hamilton`s Sprint victory in China, Ferrari`s 2025 season start hasn`t met expectations. However, on a well-known track, they will strive to contend at the front, as the circuit is expected to better suit their car.
F1 Drivers` Championship ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain Grand Prix was first introduced to the Formula 1 calendar in 2004 and has been a regular event every season, except for 2011.
It transitioned to a night race in 2014, marking the occasion when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg engaged in a memorable, race-long duel for the lead.
Bahrain is considered one of the best tracks for close racing due to its combination of long straights and heavy braking zones, facilitating overtaking opportunities in the first sector.
From 2021 to 2024, the Bahrain Grand Prix was the season-opening race, but in 2025, it has been moved to the fourth race due to Ramadan.
Weather Forecast in Sakhir
Despite unexpected rain during pre-season testing earlier this year, the weather forecast for Sakhir this week predicts no rain. The conditions are expected to be sunny and breezy from Friday to Sunday.
Daytime temperatures will be in the low 30s degrees Celsius, decreasing to the high 20s for the Saturday qualifying and Sunday race, which take place at night.
Ride onboard with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso during their 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix battle
Bahrain GP Schedule (UK Time)
Thursday, April 10
- 2pm: Drivers` Press Conference
Friday, April 11
- 8.50am: F3 Practice
- 10am: F2 Practice
- 12pm: Bahrain GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
- 1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
- 2.40pm: F2 Qualifying
- 3.35pm: Bahrain GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
- 5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday, April 12
- 11.10am: F3 Sprint Race
- 1.15pm: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30pm)
- 3.10pm: F2 Sprint
- 4.10pm: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up
- 5pm: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING
- 7pm: Ted`s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday, April 13
- 10.50am: F3 Feature Race
- 12.20pm: F2 Feature Race
- 2.30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
- 4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
- 6pm: Bahrain GP reaction: Chequered Flag
- 7pm: Ted`s Notebook
