Bahrain Grand Prix Betting Tips: Piastri can bounce back
Max Verstappen overcame the odds to win his first Grand Prix of 2025 in Japan, but the reigning world champion will be hard-pressed to repeat that feat as the Formula One roadshow touches ground in Bahrain this weekend.
There have now been three different pole sitters and three different winners in the three Grands Prix this season and Lando Norris is the favourite to become the first driver to secure multiple race wins on Sunday.
Further back rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, and Oliver Bearman continued their strong start to their debut seasons, while their fellow new boys Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, and Liam Lawson’s struggles continued as all three failed to finish in the top 15.
Tip 1 – Oscar Piastri to win @ 2/1
McLaren may have missed out on a third successive victory around Suzuka, but their car was clearly the faster package and only the brilliance of Verstappen halted the papaya parade last weekend.
Oscar Piastri, who endured a dreadful home Grand Prix in Australia to kick off the season, could be the one to reassert McLaren’s dominance in Bahrain.
The Australian driver looked faster than team-mate Norris in the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix and, despite the dearth of overtaking opportunities around Suzuka International Racing Course, he felt he had a good chance of catching and passing Verstappen if given the chance.
Unfortunately for Piastri, he was not allowed past his team-mate and had to settle for third, but his drive in China last month - as well as his performances last season - suggest he has the pace to go toe-to-toe with his colleague in the battle for the World Drivers’ Championship.
The 24-year-old took second in the Chinese Sprint, took pole position for the Grand Prix and never looked under any real pressure as he took the race win by just shy of 10 seconds.
With McLaren clearly possessing the best pace on the grid, Piastri looks good value to close the gap on his teammate in Bahrain.
Tip 2 – Oliver Bearman to finish in the top 10 @ 9/4
2025’s influx of rookie drivers have dealt with an array of varying fortunes so far and Oliver Bearman, along with Isack Hadjar and Kimi Antonelli, have been on the more positive side of that array.
Bearman, who stood in for Carlos Sainz at the start of last season before two races with Haas in the closing stages, has enjoyed a fantastic start to his first full season as a Formula One driver.
Admittedly, the 19-year-old endured an error-riddled opener in Australia, but he has bounced back in style with back-to-back points finishes in China and Japan, the latter thanks to an excellent qualifying performance in the Haas.
Bearman has finished in the points in four of his six total Grands Prix and, with Haas looking a decent package compared to many of their midfield rivals, expect the young talent to deliver again in Bahrain.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change