2025 Bahrain GP Preview: Can Red Bull hold off McLaren fightback?

McLaren's early grand prix dominance was broken at the Japanese Grand Prix as Max Verstappen took his first Formula 1 victory of the season.

The four-time champion put Red Bull's various troubles behind him to lead from pole position, heading McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

But with the championship arriving in Bahrain for the second leg of the season's first triple-header, can Verstappen and Red Bull carry momentum forward?

Red Bull to win again?

Heading into Japan, the news was all about Red Bull's internal chaos, a lack of trust with the car and where improvement could be found.

Yet Verstappen set a stellar lap for pole at Suzuka with a car that looked like it was on rails. Victory the day after may have been assisted by the circuit layout, but that's part of the game.

Whether Bahrain will present a similar opportunity is yet to be seen - practice being the first hint that this could be the case - though overtaking is more likely here. Higher temperatures may suit rivals as well, though pace in China towards the end of stints suggest that Red Bull could be second best at least.

On the other side of the garage, Yuki Tsunoda seemed confident and, crucially, comfortable post-race despite failing to secure points.

If the Japanese can put a solid weekend together this weekend at a circuit where he burst onto the scene on debut in 2021, then Red Bull can firmly switch focus to improving its machinery.

McLaren to bounce back?

McLaren's race was lost on Saturday in Japan, though a lack of ambition with its strategy may have stopped Norris from getting ahead of Verstappen at the pitstops.

The Briton will be nervous that Verstappen is just a point behind despite Red Bull's apparent struggles, though will hope that McLaren's strength around tyre degradation in the warmer climate this weekend will play to his advantage.

With that in mind, Norris' main rival for victory will likely be teammate Piastri, who is in the form of his life at the moment. The Australian seems to have gotten on top of the Pirelli tyres used in F1 and his pace in Japan was enough to challenge Norris at the end of the race, following a dominant win in China.

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Ferrari searching for answers

Charles Leclerc's fourth in Japan was by no means a disaster but the gap between him and the top three would have made Ferrari's hierarchy wince.

The Scuderia was fancied to challenge for titles this season but has so far struggled to spring the same excitement as its rivals, Lewis Hamilton's sprint win in China aside.

It's clear that precautions with ride height after Hamilton's skidblock was over-worn in China, leading to a disqualification, led to balance issues last weekend but Bahrain could provide tonic.

The track is one that Ferrari has performed well at in the past, so long as both drivers can find a suitable set-up straight out of the blocks. There is added incentive, knowing Verstappen will be out of the Red Bull for FP1 - is there a podium opportunity to be taken?

Watch the F1 Bahrain GP on Sky Sports

As usual in the United Kingdom, the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix can be followed on Sky Sports F1. On Friday, the coverage is set to begin at 12:00 GMT for the start of FP1 [12:30 GMT green light], while FP2's broadcast will begin 15 minutes before the green flag at 15:45 GMT. There will be a similar lead-up to FP3 on the Saturday, the programme beginning at 13:15, while the coverage begins 45 minutes ahead of Qualifying at 16:15. That session will be followed by the F1 Show, and then Ted's Quali Notebook.

On Sunday, the channel's broadcast kicks off at 14:30, and similarly to Saturday, it will be followed by the post-race show and Ted's notebook. Highlights of all events will be available on Sky Sports F1's YouTube channel, including Ted's Notebook.

When is the F1 Bahrain GP 2025 being held?

The fourth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit from April 11-13.

F1 start times and dates

First practice will take place on Friday at 12:30 GMT, followed by FP2 at 16:00 GMT. Saturday's action kicks off with final practice at 13:30 GMT, with qualifying following when night falls at 17:00 GMT.

The race kicks off under the lights at 16:00 GMT.