F1 2025: Practice Begins Today at Bahrain Grand Prix – Full Schedule,….read more
Formula 1 makes its much-anticipated return to Bahrain today for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, the fourth race of the current season. The event takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit, which earlier hosted pre-season testing, and will begin with the first of three practice sessions scheduled across the weekend.
The opening practice session kicks off on Friday, April 11, offering teams another critical opportunity to fine-tune their setups and gather crucial data under competitive conditions. With Red Bull Racing continuing to dominate, all eyes will be on McLaren and Ferrari to see if they can mount a meaningful challenge and shift the early season momentum.
McLaren, in particular, is under pressure to bounce back and reassert itself as a top contender after Max Verstappen’s commanding win at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutch driver was in unstoppable form at Suzuka, continuing his impressive start to the season with another record-breaking performance. That victory has raised concerns among rival teams about Red Bull’s performance gap and Verstappen’s dominance.
In an unexpected twist, Red Bull made a bold driver move following the Japan race, replacing Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda as Verstappen’s new teammate. The team is hoping Tsunoda, now promoted to the main squad, can quickly adapt to his upgraded machinery. His promotion marks a key moment for the Japanese driver, who has shown promise but now faces the pressure of racing alongside the reigning world champion.
Adding more intrigue to Friday’s action, Tsunoda won’t be alone in representing Japan during the first practice. He’ll be joined on track by fellow countryman Ayumu Iwasa, who will step in for Max Verstappen during FP1. This change is part of a new FIA rule introduced for the 2025 season, which requires teams to provide more opportunities for rookie drivers. The initiative is aimed at giving less experienced drivers valuable seat time in official F1 practice sessions throughout the year.
Under this new rule, several teams are opting to rotate their lineups during select practice sessions to allow junior talents to gain experience in an actual race weekend environment. This Friday, six full-time drivers, including Verstappen, will be stepping aside to make room for up-and-coming talents.
Ferrari, struggling with a slower-than-expected start to their 2025 campaign, is another team embracing this new rule. The Scuderia will temporarily replace Charles Leclerc with academy driver Dino Beganovic in the first session. Leclerc will return for FP2 later in the day, joining Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in searching for a much-needed breakthrough performance. Both veteran drivers are eager to close the performance gap and get their seasons back on track, especially with Ferrari sitting fourth in the constructors’ standings – a disappointing position for the prestigious Italian team.
This weekend’s sessions promise plenty of storylines, from rookies stepping into the spotlight to veterans fighting to revive their title hopes. The Bahrain GP is shaping up to be a pivotal point in the 2025 season.
Bahrain GP 2025 Practice Schedule (Friday, April 11):
- FP1: Morning session (rookie drivers featured)
- FP2: Afternoon session (main drivers return)
TV Broadcast and Streaming:
Fans can catch all the action live on major sports networks like Sky Sports F1 (UK) and ESPN (US), or stream the sessions via F1 TV Pro and other official broadcasters’ online platforms. Check local listings for exact times and availability in your region.
With the return to Bahrain, fans are in for an exciting race weekend full of new faces, big challenges, and the ongoing battle to catch Red Bull.
