F1 Live: 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying

This session is live. You are not logged in, so new updates will not appear automatically. For automatic updates, log in here or register a free RaceFans account here.

Out in Q1 last weekend: Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Stroll.

Underlining that point, Gasly was actually among the bottom five drivers in practice who therefore look most at risk of going out in Q1. These were: Gasly, Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg.

If Tsunoda doesn’t make it through, that could open up an opportunity for another of the midfield drivers to reach Q3. The Racing Bulls and Williams drivers look like strong candidates. Pierre Gasly has shown some pace in Alpine, though usually in the hotter conditions, and it remains to be seen whether he can be competitive in the cooler night sessions.

Verstappen ended final practice behind Isack Hadjar in the Racing Bulls, so Red Bull clearly haven’t revealed their true potential yet. However their newest driver struggled badly in second practice. Yuki Tsunoda was slowest of all after abandoning both his qualifying simulation laps. Are Red Bull at risk of losing a driver in Q1 again?

McLaren have led the way in practice so far, topping all three sessions and lapping half a second faster than anyone else. But of course they did the same at Suzuka a week ago – and headed Q1 and Q2 – only for Max Verstappen to beat them to pole position.

Qualifying for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix is coming up next.