Bahrain Grand Prix: radically different weather from the first three races

Bahrain has been a classic on the calendar since its first edition in 2004. The Sakhir circuit hosted the hottest Grand Prix in F1 history in 2005, with a record temperature of 42°C. A real contrast to the winter testing held here at the end of February, where unusually cool weather was observed… and even a few drops of rain!

On the track, the drivers will have to negotiate a layout that is both fast and technical, dotted with tight corners and offering numerous overtaking opportunities (a marked contrast to the Suzuka circuit). However, caution is advised: between the gusts of wind and temperature variations due to sessions held during the day and in the evening, conditions can quickly become destabilizing.

General situation

The climate of Bahrain is desert-like. In mid-April, temperatures generally range from 22°C in the morning to 28°C during the day. The weather is mostly sunny and dry at this time of year. The winds predominantly blow from the north.

On rare occasions, a phenomenon called Chammal can occur. It is a north wind blowing at more than 50 km/h over the Persian Gulf, potentially causing sandstorms. The Chammal can significantly reduce visibility by lifting large amounts of dust and sand particles suspended in the air.

Currently, the Kingdom of Bahrain is under the influence of a barometric swamp centered on the Arabian Peninsula. This pressure regime results in a stable atmosphere, acting as a shield against depression systems located further north, particularly towards the Mediterranean and Turkey.

Friday, April 11: Free Practice 1 and 2

The sky will be generally clear with a few clouds at dawn. The sun will shine throughout the day. Temperatures rising rapidly, reaching 35°C in the early afternoon and then dropping to 34°C for the free practice session 1 (2:30 PM local time). The asphalt at Sakhir will be scorching with a temperature approaching 50°C. The north-sector wind will blow between 20 and 30 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 40 km/h until the end of the afternoon.

As the sun is about to set, the temperature will drop to 29°C for the second free practice session, the track will remain around 32°C, and the wind will also decrease.

Saturday, April 12: Free Practice 3 and Qualifying

A very hot and perfectly sunny day is expected for Saturday. The sky will remain clear from morning until evening. A moderate wind will blow from the northeast, with gusts reaching up to 25 km/h.

Temperatures will be particularly high in the early afternoon, with a maximum expected of 37°C! However, the mercury should slightly drop to 35°C at the time of the last free practice session, scheduled for 3:30 PM (local time). The UV index will reach an extreme level, and the track temperature will then be around 49°C.

During the qualifying sessions, which will begin at 7 p.m. (local time), it will still be 29°C in the air and approximately 33°C on the asphalt. The wind will gradually weaken in the evening, and of course, there is no risk of rain expected.

Under these particular atmospheric conditions, it will be interesting to see if the 2025 version of the cars can maintain the trend of decreasing reference times recorded over the last three seasons, notably by beating the pole time set in 2024 by Max Verstappen at 1’29.179.

Sunday, April 13: The race

Although slightly cooler than the previous day, Sunday is still expected to be very summery and dry. For the race, which will start at 6 p.m. (4 p.m. Paris time), just after sunset, the weather conditions will remain favorable: clear skies with one or two scattered clouds, an air temperature of 28°C, 33°C on the track, and a light north wind blowing between 10 and 15 km/h. Few atmospheric variations are expected over the course of the 57 laps.