Bahrain Grand Prix: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Max Verstappen defied the odds to drive his ailing Red Bull to victory in Japan last weekend, but the defending world champion will be hard pressed to repeat that feat at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Aided by a phenomenal qualifying lap that saw him snatch pole position from Lando Norris, Verstappen produced a stunning drive in the main event to hold off the superior McLaren, extending his unbeaten record - in both qualifying and the race - at Suzuka to four seasons.

However, the Bahrain International Circuit offers plenty of overtaking opportunities for the McLaren drivers to take advantage of, should they find themselves starting behind the Dutchman again.

Bahrain Grand Prix betting picks and predictions

Oscar Piastri to win (+200)

A rain-hit season-opener in Australia saw Oscar Piastri’s home Grand Prix ruined as he finished ninth after an early spin, but the Australian has not let that rough start hold him back.

The 24-year-old finished second in the Chinese Sprint race before taking the win in the Grand Prix. In Japan, despite finishing behind his teammate, he looked the faster of the two McLarens last time out.

Claiming he had the pace to put Verstappen under pressure, he had his radio request to swap positions with Norris denied in the closing stages at Suzuka, but he looks good value to get the better of his McLaren colleague this weekend.

With passing opportunities aplenty in Bahrain and the McLaren the fastest car on the grid, Piastri has the ability and machinery to close the gap on World Drivers' Championship leader Norris.

Oliver Bearman points finish (+240)

With six rookies - or near-rookies - entering the Formula One grid in 2025, the start of the season was bound to see stocks rise and fall, and one stock that has enjoyed a meteoric rise is that of Oliver Bearman.

Bearman burst on to the scene last season when he replaced the ill Carlos Sainz for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and his performance there, and in his two races for Haas later in the season, earned him a permanent spot on the grid.

The 19-year-old has grasped this opportunity with both hands, recovering from an error-strewn opener in Australia to claim back-to-back points finishes in China and Japan, including a fantastic drive from 17th on the grid to eighth in Shanghai.

Bearman has finished in the points in four of his six total Grands Prix and the respectable package Haas have put together for the start of the season could see him add to their points tally in Bahrain.

Isack Hadjar to finish in the points (-150)

Another rookie who has risen to the occasion is Isack Hadjar who, like Bearman, had a debut to forget in Australia as he spun out on the formation lap and failed to start the race.

Unperturbed, Hadjar bounced back with an excellent qualifying in the Chinese Grand Prix before narrowly missing out on the points due to a strategy error after an excellent drive.

The 20-year-old Racing Bulls driver put his first points on the board with an eighth-place finish in Japan after another flawless qualifying performance and he has plenty of experience from the lower Formulas in Bahrain, including a Formula 3 Sprint victory in 2022.

George Russell to finish on the podium (+125)

The Japanese Grand Prix will have felt like a step back for George Russell as he drove his Mercedes to a fifth-place finish, but the Silver Arrows’ lead driver looks good value to get back on the podium in Bahrain.

The 27-year-old finished third in both Australia and China. His Mercedes looks like the second-fastest car on the grid at present, meaning Russell’s consistency always leaves him with a solid chance.

The Briton hasn’t finished outside the top five in any of his last 11 Grands Prix. Aside from a retirement in the British Grand Prix and disqualification in the Belgian Grand Prix - neither of which were the fault of the driver - he has finished in the top eight in every race since last year’s Australian Grand Prix.

Providing Verstappen doesn’t perform another miracle, Russell should be in prime position for a return to the top three, likely sharing the podium with the two McLaren drivers.

Bahrain Grand Prix outright odds

Lando Norris	+120
Oscar Piastri	+200
Max Verstappen	+350
George Russell	+1400
Charles Leclerc	+2200
Lewis Hamilton	+2200
Kimi Antonelli	+6600

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.