The top-3 drivers from the Bahrain GP qualifying session. [Credits: X/ Formula 1]

Bahrain GP Starting Grid – How do the Teams Line Up after the Bahrain GP Qualifying?

Know more about the Bahrain GP 2025 Qualifying results

The top-3 drivers from the Bahrain GP qualifying session. [Credits: X/ Formula 1]

The Bahrain GP qualifying session ended this evening on Saturday, April 12. The qualifying session produced some incredible results for most of the teams. On one hand, we found Alpine in the Q3 for the first time. On the other hand, Williams’s star performer Alex Albon had to face an early exit in Q1 itself. The race solidified everyone’s suspicions about McLaren’s being the fastest car on the grid yet again.

Even though, Red Bull did not show a commendable pace in the Bahrain GP qualifying, they were able to put both of their cars in top-10 for the first time this year. Mercedes’s have finally proved themselves as the second fastest car on the grid ahead Ferrari.

*UPDATE*

Russell and Antonelli have both received a one-place grid penalty for Sunday's race following an infringement during qualifying

More details 👉 https://t.co/LjVtiPZw6K #F1 #BahrainGP
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2025

Many rookie drivers from the underdog teams appeared strong in the initial stage of the session. However, they were ultimately knocked out in Q2. The F1 Bahrain GP Qualifying has increased the odds of Oscar Piastri winning the race, as predicted earlier on The Playoffs. Even his teammate, Lando Norris was spellbound with his speed in the qualifying session. Let’s have a look at the starting grid for tomorrow’s race.

Bahrain GP Qualifying Starting Grid

The top-10 drivers from the Bahrain GP qualifying session as per official F1 statistics are listed as-

Oscar Piastri
Charles Leclerc
George Russell
Pierre Gasly
Kimi Antonelli
Lando Norris
Max Verstappen
Carlos Sainz
Lewis Hamilton
Yuki Tsunoda

Oscar Piastri raced phenomenally during the qualifying session. He was fastest man on track during the last two practice sessions this weekend. Piastri utilised his practice runs to deliver a time of 1:29.841 in the final lap of Q3. He claimed his second pole position in the F1 championship. Piastri was followed by George Russell who put his Mercedes in the front row.

Mercedes will be incredibly happy with their performance so far in the weekend. They have secured positions in the first and second row with Kimi Antonelli securing fourth place. But, the rule violation after the Qualifying session restarted post-red-flag conditions caused them a grid penalty. Now, Russell will start the race in third place whereas, Kimi is fifth in the starting grid.

Charles Leclerc starts the race in second place for Ferrari, giving the Tifosi a little bit of hope this weekend. Pierre Gasly has jumped the grid and put his Alpine in fourth position after Q3 claiming their best grid start in 2025.

Oscar 🤜RESPECT🤛 Charles #F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/60JVJWdxxX
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2025

Lando Norris made a lot of mistakes in qualifying this weekend. This means that Norris will only start in sixth. He will be competing against Max Verstappen in seventh place who is facing brake issues in his RB21. Carlos Sainz was finally able to get his car in Q3 this season. Williams would have hoped for Alex Albon’s presence alongside him.

Hamilton is only ninth even after the upgrades Ferrari made to his floor. Yuki Tsunoda finished 10th in the qualifying session to secure Red Bull their first double Q3 finish.

Bahrain GP Qualifying- Rest of The Grid

Jack Doohan and Isack Hajdar narrowly missed out on a Q3 entry. But, their teams will be satisfied with their performance in the desert. Fernando Alonso has finally made the cut to Q2 after some dissappointing Saturdays in the previous weekends. Haas were in a strong position, with Ocon leading the charge for the American team. Unfortunately, he crashed out in the final moments of Q2. Ocon is starting 14th and Albon is starting 15th on the grid tomorrow.

Here's the moment Ocon lost control and spun into the barriers 💥#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/gspackF0iw
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2025

Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll and Oliver Bearman could not match their teammates performance this time around in Bahrain. They qualified in 17th, 19th and 20th positions respectively. Sauber suffered yet another Q1 exit this year with Nico Hulkenberg finishing 16th and Gabriel Bortoleto finishing in 18th position.

Follow the Formula 1 Bahrain GP on The Playoffs to know more about how the race plays out tomorrow!

Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain Grand Prix 2025

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari Formula 1 Team

Formula 1

Formula 1 2025 Season

George Russell

McLaren F1

Mercedes Formula 1 Team

Oscar Piastri

Rohan Singh

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I work as a Writer at The Playoffs specialising in NHL, Formula 1 and Motorsports. I got into online journalism a couple of years ago. I used to be an intern for a website managing their Formula 1 content and then I served an entire year as a contractual writer.