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 track where they performed well in pre-season testing.
Lando Norris currently leads the Drivers` Championship by a single point over Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri 13 points behind his McLaren teammate.
Mercedes is McLaren`s closest competitor in the Constructors` Championship, trailing by 36 points after three races.
Despite Lewis Hamilton`s Sprint win in China, Ferrari`s 2025 season start hasn`t met expectations. However, on a familiar circuit, they will seek to contend at the front, hoping the track better suits their car.
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 since, except for 2011.
In 2014, it transitioned into a night race, famously featuring an epic duel for the lead between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
Bahrain is considered one of the best circuits for close racing due to its combination of long straights and heavy braking zones, encouraging overtaking opportunities in the first sector.
From 2021 to 2024, Bahrain hosted the F1 season opener, 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. Instead, sunny and breezy conditions are expected from Friday to Sunday.
Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s degrees Celsius, dropping to the high 20s for Saturday`s qualifying and Sunday`s race, both of which take place at night.
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Ride onboard with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as the former team-mates battled it out in the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix
Bahrain GP Schedule and UK Start Times
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
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
How to Watch the Bahrain Grand Prix
To watch the Bahrain Grand Prix, you can check your local TV listings for broadcasters in your region. Many sports channels and streaming services offer live coverage of Formula 1 races.
Formula 1 continues its triple-header in Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.
Marcus Prine