Formula 1 returns to Bahrain for the fourth race of the season this weekend as Max Verstappen looks to take the fight to Lando Norris.
The four-time world champion sent out a message to McLaren with one of the finest drives of his career to win in Japan last time out.
Hamilton has returned to Bahrain sporting a new lookGettyIn an underperforming Red Bull, the Dutchman held off the reigning constructors’ champions to earn his first win since December 1.
Verstappen claimed his fourth successive win at the Japanese Grand Prix in an apt tribute to engine suppliers Honda at their home race in the final year of their Red Bull partnership.
It meant that the 27-year-old somehow finds himself just one point behind championship leader Norris despite clearly lacking McLaren’s pace.
The grid now returns to Bahrain, which had been F1’s season-opener for the last few years prior to the 2025 schedule change.
Testing did take place at Sakhir in February, with Ferrari among the fastest teams to give Lewis Hamilton some hope this weekend.
Six junior, test and reserve drivers will be behind the wheel for Friday’s first practice session, with Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Haas and Williams all making FP1 line-up changes.
Bahrain Grand Prix: Date and start times
The race weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit is taking place from Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13.
Light’s Out for the Grand Prix will take place at 4pm UK time on Sunday.
Hot and dry weather is forecast throughout the weekend in Sakhir, with temperatures expected to be around 28C for the race.
Verstappen claimed a dominant win in Bahrain for the 2024 season opener last year ahead of then-Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
Friday, 11 April
First practice: 12:30pm Second practice: 4pmSaturday, 12 April
Third practice: 1:30pm Qualifying: 5pmSunday, 13 April
Race: 4pm Verstappen’s victory in Japan was his 64th in Formula 1Getty Ferrari looked very bright during Bahrain testing but have struggled sinceAFPBahrain Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream
The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 2:30am on Sunday.
Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99, while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.
Piers Prior will also have updates on the Bahrain Grand Prix live on talkSPORT.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
How to watch Formula 1 in 2025
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
This year’s F1 season is set to get the pulses racing, with reigning champion Max Vertappen, Lewis Hamilton and young contender Lando Norris expected to be competing for the driver’s championship.
A lot of interest has been generated by Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, where he will be racing alongside Charles Leclerc in what could be an exiting combination for the iconic racing brand.
If you want to watch Formula 1 races in 2025, you’ll need a Sky Sports subscription.
We’ve rounded up some options for signing up below to help you find the best subscription for you.
Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, Sky Essentials TV package and Sky Sports – From £48 a month with £20 upfront cost Sky Stream, Sky Sports, Sky Essential TV package with Netflix – £35 a month Upgrade an existing Sky subscription to include Sky Sports – £22 a month NOW Sky Sports Day membership – £14.99 one-off payment NOW Sky Sports flexible monthly membership – £34.99 a month, cancel any time Vesti is replacing Russell for Williams in FP1GettyBahrain Grand Prix: What has been said?
Brit superstar Hamilton hopes significant changes can properly kick-start his Ferrari career in Bahrain.
The seven-time champion won the Chinese Sprint but has suffered three disappointing results in each of the main races.
He finished 10th in Australia before being disqualified in Shanghai and then coming home for a lowly seventh in Japan last time out.
However, Hamilton was optimistic as he revealed a persistent problem with his Ferrari car has now been identified.
He said: “I did the best I could today, generally lacking performance compared to all the cars that are up ahead of me, particularly Mercedes, McLaren and obviously the Red Bull.
“We’ve found something on the car that’s been underperforming for the last three races, so I’m really hoping when that’s fixed I’ll start getting a bit better results.
“I’m losing just over a tenth [of a second] a lap with this issue we have, so I’m hoping in the next race it’s fixed. They’re aware of it and they don’t know why [it is happening] so, as I said, when the new component comes, hopefully it’ll be gone and it’ll be the same across cars.
“Considering that, I’m relatively happy with the race pace that I did have, given what I had. But otherwise, good performance from the team. Myself and Riccardo [Adami, his race engineer] I think did a really good job, the engineers and mechanics also did a great job.”
Verstappen comfortably won in Bahrain last yearGettyBahrain Grand Prix: Drivers’ Standings
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 62 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 61 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 49 George Russell (Mercedes) – 45 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 30 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 20 Alex Albon (Williams) – 18 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 15 Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 10 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 10 Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 6 Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 5 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 4 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 3 Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 0 Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 0 Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – 0 Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 LIVE: Practice, qualifying and race results plus UK times as Hamilton gets Ferrari boost )
Also on site :