F1 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid with penalties ap…read more
Excitement is at an all-time high as the 2025 Formula 1 season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix. The starting grid for the much-anticipated opening race has now been confirmed following an action-packed qualifying session and the application of several grid penalties that have reshaped the order in significant ways.
Qualifying Recap: Verstappen on Pole Again
Saturday’s qualifying session, held on April 12, 2025, delivered intense competition as teams and drivers battled for prime grid positions under the floodlights of the Bahrain International Circuit. Red Bull’s reigning World Champion Max Verstappen showcased his trademark speed and composure by claiming pole position with a searing lap time of 1:28.765. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc put in a strong performance and narrowly missed out, clocking a time just 0.123 seconds slower than Verstappen. Leclerc’s teammate, Carlos Sainz Jr., continued Ferrari’s promising start by securing third on the timesheets, only 0.245 seconds off the pole-sitter.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez locked in fourth place, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell in fifth and Lewis Hamilton in sixth, as the Silver Arrows maintained a competitive showing. McLaren also looked sharp, with Lando Norris qualifying seventh and his teammate Oscar Piastri in eighth. The top ten was rounded out by the Aston Martin duo — Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll — although their final starting positions would later be altered due to penalties.
Penalties Reshape the Grid
After qualifying, several drivers were hit with grid penalties that significantly reshuffled the starting order.
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) received a three-place grid drop for impeding another driver during qualifying. As a result, he will now start the race from 13th place, despite originally securing ninth.
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) was handed a five-place penalty for surpassing the permitted number of engine components. He drops from 10th to 15th on the grid.
Pierre Gasly (Alpine) incurred a three-place grid penalty after being found responsible for a collision during a practice session. This pushes him down to 18th.
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) was penalized five places due to a gearbox issue that required unscheduled changes. This means he’ll start at the back of the grid in 20th.
Final Starting Grid Post-Penalties
With these penalties applied, the official starting grid for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix is set:
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)
Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Yuki Tsunoda (RB)
Daniel Ricciardo (RB)
Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Alexander Albon (Williams)
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Logan Sargeant (Williams)
Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Guanyu Zhou (Kick Sauber)
Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
Looking Ahead to Race Day
The restructured grid has set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying race under the lights in Bahrain. While Verstappen and the two Ferraris start in strong positions, there is plenty of talent lurking further back due to penalties. This includes experienced drivers like Alonso and Stroll, as well as Gasly and Ocon, who will be looking to make up ground quickly.
With multiple teams showing competitive pace, strategic decisions, tire management, and clean overtakes will be critical factors as the 2025 Formula 1 season begins in earnest. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting lights out as the drama of a new season unfolds.
