Bahrain GP 2025: Ferrari’s New Floor, McLaren’s Home Race Curse, and a Verstappen-Norris Showdown Heat Up the Desert

The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to ignite under the Bahraini sun as the fourth round at Sakhir’s Bahrain International Circuit promises a dramatic shakeup. With hotter conditions, a leaked data bombshell, and significant upgrades on the horizon, the desert race is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull. As teams battle the abrasive track, tire degradation, and strategic challenges, all eyes are on Ferrari’s new floor upgrade, McLaren’s quest to break their Bahrain curse, and a fierce championship duel between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. With temperatures soaring to 30°C—up from the chilly pre-season testing in February—the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that could redefine the season.

Ferrari arrives in Bahrain under pressure to turn their season around after a lackluster start. The SF-25, despite showing promise in pre-season testing and simulator runs, has yet to unlock its full potential. Team principal Fred Vasseur has been candid about the team’s struggles, particularly with ride height and car balance, noting, “We all want to run the car lower… but there is a limit.” The Maranello squad is debuting a new floor upgrade aimed at improving overall performance and expanding usable ride heights, a move the aerodynamic department believes is a step forward. However, Vasseur and chief designer Enrico Cardile are reportedly cautious, preferring to stabilize the car’s balance before such a significant change, with further upgrades planned for Miami. Lewis Hamilton, hungry for progress after a disappointing Suzuka, is eager to test the new package, stating, “I’m really hoping in the next race we’ll see some positive changes.” Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc will look to build on his recent fourth-place finish in Japan, but the team’s internal divide on the upgrade’s timing adds an extra layer of intrigue.

McLaren, the Constructors’ Champions, face a different kind of pressure. Despite having the most dominant car in 2025, they’ve never won in Bahrain—a race they consider their “second home” since the Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat took full ownership of the McLaren Group last year. Team principal Andrea Stella remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of having the best car to secure both championships. “Max is making the difference himself, but it’s difficult to keep that up for 24 events if you don’t have the best car,” Stella said, hinting at McLaren’s long-term strategy to outlast Red Bull. However, Lando Norris, who leads Verstappen by just one point in the Drivers’ Championship, acknowledged Red Bull’s edge in Bahrain’s slow-speed corners, saying, “We’re losing some of our strengths and going more into our weaknesses.” With the MCL39 excelling in tire management—a critical factor on Bahrain’s abrasive track—McLaren has a golden opportunity to break their curse, but they’ll need to fend off a resurgent Verstappen.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, fresh off a strong showing in Suzuka, is poised to reclaim the championship lead. The Dutchman, who scored all 61 of Red Bull’s points this season, thrives on tracks like Bahrain, where slow-speed corners and long braking zones play to the RB21’s strengths. The circuit’s high grip but abrasive asphalt, combined with sand blown onto the track, will test tire management, with thermal degradation a major concern. Teams face a grade of 3/5 for lateral forces and 4/5 for braking difficulty, making strategy crucial. Verstappen’s consistency could give him the edge, but McLaren’s tire-friendly car might keep Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri in contention.

Mercedes, sitting second in the Constructors’ Championship with 75 points, shouldn’t be overlooked. The W16 has shown marked improvement, and team boss Toto Wolff sees Bahrain as a litmus test. “It’s a rear-limited circuit with an abrasive surface… the type of track we struggled at last year,” Wolff noted. With George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli proving their mettle in testing, Mercedes could play spoiler. As the desert heat intensifies, Bahrain promises a strategic chess match where upgrades, tire management, and driver skill will determine the victor. Will Ferrari’s new floor spark a revival, or will McLaren finally conquer their home race? The battle lines are drawn, and the desert is ready to roar.