The desert venue allows for more overtaking and is known for its higher track temperatures, conditions that might benefit McLaren and Ferrari.
McLaren’s early-season superiority came to a halt at the Japan Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen claimed his first Formula 1 win of the year.
Putting recent turmoil behind him, the reigning world champion led the race from the pole in commanding fashion, fending off McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
With Formula 1 now moving to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the second stop in the first triple-header of the calendar, all eyes are on whether Verstappen and Red Bull can continue their resurgence. Leading into Japan, headlines were dominated by Red Bull’s internal unrest, technical uncertainties, and strained confidence in the car’s performance.
Despite the noise, Verstappen delivered a pole-worthy lap at Suzuka with precision and control, making the RB20 look almost untouchable. While some argue the circuit layout played to Red Bull’s strengths, success in F1 often hinges on such variables. The bigger question now is whether the Bahrain Grand Prix will offer a similarly favorable platform.
The desert venue traditionally allows for more overtaking and is known for its higher track temperatures, conditions that might benefit teams like McLaren or Ferrari. However, Red Bull’s consistent pace—especially in the closing laps in China—suggests they may remain strong contenders, even if not outright favorites.
Yuki Tsunoda, on the other side of the Red Bull garage, remained upbeat after Japan despite missing out on points. The Japanese driver, who made his F1 debut in Bahrain in 2021 with an eye-catching performance, could once again prove pivotal. A solid showing at the Bahrain Grand Prix would give Red Bull more reason to focus on development rather than damage control.
As for McLaren, their loss in Japan arguably stemmed from Saturday’s strategic decisions. A more aggressive approach might have allowed Norris to challenge Verstappen more seriously at the pit stops. With Verstappen now breathing down his neck in the standings—despite Red Bull’s supposedly shaky start—Norris will be hoping that the warmer climate in Bahrain complements McLaren’s known tire management strengths.
Norris isn’t the only contender to watch. Piastri, coming off a dominant win in China and showing exceptional tire control, appears to be hitting a career peak. His late-race pace in Japan put real pressure on Norris, and at this rate, he could be McLaren’s biggest internal threat this weekend.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured fourth in Japan, though the gap to the front-runners will concern the Scuderia. The team entered the season with championship aspirations, yet so far hasn’t delivered consistent top-tier performances—Hamilton’s sprint win in China notwithstanding.
Ferrari’s issues with car balance in Japan may have stemmed from ride-height adjustments made after Hamilton’s disqualification in China due to excessive plank wear. That said, the Bahrain Grand Prix may offer a reset. The track has historically suited Ferrari, and both drivers will be eager to optimize their setups early in the weekend.
Adding intrigue, Verstappen will sit out FP1 in Bahrain, potentially giving Ferrari an early advantage. Could this be the window they need to fight for a podium?
If you found this article about Bahrain GP. You can also read this other one about the new Japanese GP or you can also check our Active section for other interesting notes.
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