Official 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Poll: Official 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Total Members Polled: 205
Discussion
After a masterclass from Max in Japan- but hardly an exciting watch- we’re in Bahrain and let’s hope for some more on track action.
The track is much harder on tyres than Japan, so expect McLaren’s advantage to return in the race. Qualifying will be too close to call again and remember that P1 and P3 are basically useless as qualifying and the race are under lights.
There’s a lot to watch out for here- can Tsunoda get closer to Max when it matters, will this be Doohan’s last GP, can Hamilton get closer to Leclerc etc. The battle between Norris and Piastri will be fascinating, I think Piastri was faster (again) in Japan but couldn’t show it.
My money is on Piastri, but he’ll need to beat Max first.
Here’s to a great race.
Date(s): Friday 11 April to Sunday 13 April 2025.
UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)
All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of Qualifying and the Race.
2024 Highlights: (Red Bull 1-2)
https://youtu.be/9Y5wMpKXNK4?si=MIpIsu01Zf09KrA-
Tyres:
Hardest compounds C1-C3 (same as Japan)
2024 Result:
The track is much harder on tyres than Japan, so expect McLaren’s advantage to return in the race. Qualifying will be too close to call again and remember that P1 and P3 are basically useless as qualifying and the race are under lights.
There’s a lot to watch out for here- can Tsunoda get closer to Max when it matters, will this be Doohan’s last GP, can Hamilton get closer to Leclerc etc. The battle between Norris and Piastri will be fascinating, I think Piastri was faster (again) in Japan but couldn’t show it.
My money is on Piastri, but he’ll need to beat Max first.
Here’s to a great race.
Date(s): Friday 11 April to Sunday 13 April 2025.
UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)
All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of Qualifying and the Race.
2024 Highlights: (Red Bull 1-2)
https://youtu.be/9Y5wMpKXNK4?si=MIpIsu01Zf09KrA-
Tyres:
Hardest compounds C1-C3 (same as Japan)
2024 Result:
Zetec-S said:
My money's on Max, who will probably drive "the best race ever"... again... 
Yeah in the 11th fastest car on the grid too........ I assume currently the Ferraris need to have too much height to avoid getting the plank wear, but that means they don't get enough downforce to challenge properly.. That isn't an easy or quick fix so I am guessing they will be 4th fastest.
McLarens I expect to romp away. Red Bulls 2nd fastest but tyre eating.. Mercs to goal snatch third as a result - be nice if it was Kimi.
Then the racing bulls...
Races coming thick and fast now, which is a relief after a less than interesting Sunday morning last weekend.
Apparently Ferrari are bringing a new floor to Bahrain in an attempt to move the centre of pressure forward and stop the plank wearing out. They had to run the ride hight higher than they wanted in Suzuka, to avoid the risk of another disqualification.
If I keep voting for Lewis to win, it has to happen eventually, right?
Apparently Ferrari are bringing a new floor to Bahrain in an attempt to move the centre of pressure forward and stop the plank wearing out. They had to run the ride hight higher than they wanted in Suzuka, to avoid the risk of another disqualification.
If I keep voting for Lewis to win, it has to happen eventually, right?
Despite the last two races I'm looking forward to another race weekend ... and this one with times that better suit my schedule.
This feels like a Max circuit to me and he was spot on last weekend.
So I've gone for Russell just because I want to see things mixed up a bit ... this is not something I would be putting money on!
This feels like a Max circuit to me and he was spot on last weekend.
So I've gone for Russell just because I want to see things mixed up a bit ... this is not something I would be putting money on!
Jasandjules said:
McLarens I expect to romp away. Red Bulls 2nd fastest but tyre eating.. Mercs to goal snatch third as a result - be nice if it was Kimi.
This is my gut feeling too and agree it would nice to see Kimi on the podium although I think it's a big ask of a rookie to manage his tyres that well in order to do so, that's where Russell will have the edge. Tim the pool man said:
Argh! Ridiculous times for this one, 00.00 Sunday morning for quali and 23.00 Sunday night for the race start!
Oi, behave yourself - you’ve had three on the spin to enjoy with a barbie. Now it’s my turn to crack open a beer during the race without the missus muttering something about a ‘drinking problem’ and giving me the side eye for the rest of the day. 
McLaren, Merc, and Ferrari on the podium. Probably Oscar on the top step.
Nova Gyna said:
Tim the pool man said:
Argh! Ridiculous times for this one, 00.00 Sunday morning for quali and 23.00 Sunday night for the race start!
Oi, behave yourself - you’ve had three on the spin to enjoy with a barbie. Now it’s my turn to crack open a beer during the race without the missus muttering something about a ‘drinking problem’ and giving me the side eye for the rest of the day. McLaren, Merc, and Ferrari on the podium. Probably Oscar on the top step.
Piginapoke said:
Nova Gyna said:
Tim the pool man said:
Argh! Ridiculous times for this one, 00.00 Sunday morning for quali and 23.00 Sunday night for the race start!
Oi, behave yourself - you’ve had three on the spin to enjoy with a barbie. Now it’s my turn to crack open a beer during the race without the missus muttering something about a ‘drinking problem’ and giving me the side eye for the rest of the day. McLaren, Merc, and Ferrari on the podium. Probably Oscar on the top step.
Basil Brush said:
Piginapoke said:
Nova Gyna said:
Tim the pool man said:
Argh! Ridiculous times for this one, 00.00 Sunday morning for quali and 23.00 Sunday night for the race start!
Oi, behave yourself - you’ve had three on the spin to enjoy with a barbie. Now it’s my turn to crack open a beer during the race without the missus muttering something about a ‘drinking problem’ and giving me the side eye for the rest of the day. McLaren, Merc, and Ferrari on the podium. Probably Oscar on the top step.
). Wouldn’t be surprised to Max there or thereabouts at the end.Piginapoke said:
Nova Gyna said:
Tim the pool man said:
Argh! Ridiculous times for this one, 00.00 Sunday morning for quali and 23.00 Sunday night for the race start!
Oi, behave yourself - you’ve had three on the spin to enjoy with a barbie. Now it’s my turn to crack open a beer during the race without the missus muttering something about a ‘drinking problem’ and giving me the side eye for the rest of the day. McLaren, Merc, and Ferrari on the podium. Probably Oscar on the top step.
Byker28i said:
Piginapoke said:
Nova Gyna said:
Tim the pool man said:
Argh! Ridiculous times for this one, 00.00 Sunday morning for quali and 23.00 Sunday night for the race start!
Oi, behave yourself - you’ve had three on the spin to enjoy with a barbie. Now it’s my turn to crack open a beer during the race without the missus muttering something about a ‘drinking problem’ and giving me the side eye for the rest of the day. McLaren, Merc, and Ferrari on the podium. Probably Oscar on the top step.
Can't see anything but a McLaren win here. The RB will lunch it's tyres here in the heat I'd imagine.
The Mercs and Ferrari's who knows which versions will show up. The Mercedes at least seem pretty consistent and if they can get more than one tyre compound working for them in a weekend they might be in with a chance of podiums.
As mentioned the Ferrari's are quick but it seems to be so sensitive on the ride height/weight they're flitting between rapid and borderline legal or slow and fine. In ways I think its similar to the RBR car, in that it's either/or scenario; fast and unpredictable or slow but drivable.
The Mercs and Ferrari's who knows which versions will show up. The Mercedes at least seem pretty consistent and if they can get more than one tyre compound working for them in a weekend they might be in with a chance of podiums.
As mentioned the Ferrari's are quick but it seems to be so sensitive on the ride height/weight they're flitting between rapid and borderline legal or slow and fine. In ways I think its similar to the RBR car, in that it's either/or scenario; fast and unpredictable or slow but drivable.
Expect a number of FP1 replacement rookie drivers this weekend, at a circuit well known to all of the teams and drivers. In a change to the rules this year, each driver now has to give up his seat in FP1 twice (rather than once) during the season.
Felipe Drugovich confirmed at Aston Martin, to add to Ryo Hirakawa at Haas, the latter having driven for Alpine in his native Japan last weekend.
https://x.com/wearetherace/status/1909566985521836...
Speaking of rookies, this weekend also features F2 and FIA F3 on the undercard, so a blatant plug for following along on the support races thread, and a polite request to keep support race spoilers out of this one. Somewhat more convenient timings for most of us than the earlier races.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Felipe Drugovich confirmed at Aston Martin, to add to Ryo Hirakawa at Haas, the latter having driven for Alpine in his native Japan last weekend.
https://x.com/wearetherace/status/1909566985521836...
Speaking of rookies, this weekend also features F2 and FIA F3 on the undercard, so a blatant plug for following along on the support races thread, and a polite request to keep support race spoilers out of this one. Somewhat more convenient timings for most of us than the earlier races.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Sandpit Steve on Tuesday 8th April 15:47
Sandpit Steve said:
Expect a number of FP1 replacement rookie drivers this weekend, at a circuit well known to all of the teams and drivers. In a change to the rules this year, each driver now has to give up his seat in FP1 twice (rather than once) during the season.
Felipe Drugovich confirmed at Aston Martin, to add to Ryo Hirakawa at Haas, the latter having driven for Alpine in his native Japan last weekend.
https://x.com/wearetherace/status/1909566985521836...
Speaking of rookies, this weekend also features F2 and FIA F3 on the undercard, so a blatant plug for following along on the support races thread, and a polite request to keep support race spoilers out of this one. Somewhat more convenient timings for most of us than the earlier races.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks Steve- going to be a great weekend Felipe Drugovich confirmed at Aston Martin, to add to Ryo Hirakawa at Haas, the latter having driven for Alpine in his native Japan last weekend.
https://x.com/wearetherace/status/1909566985521836...
Speaking of rookies, this weekend also features F2 and FIA F3 on the undercard, so a blatant plug for following along on the support races thread, and a polite request to keep support race spoilers out of this one. Somewhat more convenient timings for most of us than the earlier races.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Sandpit Steve on Tuesday 8th April 15:47
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