F1 Driver Power Rankings: Can Kimi Antonelli Bounce Back at the Sepang Circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix?

Formula One returns to Sepang this weekend for the first time since 2017, with Malaysia stepping in to host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix. Originally planned for April, the race was postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East, leading F1 to secure agreements with Bahrain and Malaysia to relocate the event to the 5.543km Sepang circuit. Featuring two long straights and fast-flowing corners, the track places a heavy emphasis on heat management and tyre wear.

Our power rankings assess which drivers head to Malaysia in peak condition, analyzing recent form, raw speed, car extraction, momentum, and circuit suitability. Here are the top 10 rankings and predictions for the upcoming race.

10. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
Form: Madrid DNF; Baku P10. Championship: P17
Williams brought their biggest upgrade of the season to Baku, allowing Sainz to reach Q3 for the first time this year. Despite a grid penalty dropping him to 14th, he fought back to finish 10th and secure his first point in 10 GPs. Sepang will provide a clearer test of the upgrade's true potential.

9. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Form: Madrid P8; Baku P13. Championship: P7
Piastri showed strong pace in Azerbaijan by qualifying third and running second early on, but a Turn 1 lock-up derailed his race. While his speed is evident, his main hurdle is stringing a complete weekend together. Sepang should suit his car better than the low straight-line speed demands of Baku.

8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Form: Madrid P12; Baku DNF. Championship: P10
Gasly suffered severe misfortune in Azerbaijan, where he was running in the points from a P7 grid spot until caught up in Franco Colapinto's restart error. Despite Alpine's unpredictability, Gasly continues to outperform expectations.

7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Form: Madrid DNF; Baku P6. Championship: P3
Hamilton experienced a quiet weekend in Baku, qualifying and finishing sixth while questioning team strategy during a safety car. Ferrari's lack of straight-line power could hinder him on Sepang's long straights, though he boasts a stellar historical record at the circuit, including a 2014 win and five poles.

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Form: Madrid P4; Baku P4. Championship: P5
Leclerc is currently outperforming his teammate with consecutive fourth-place finishes. Although he put his car on the front row in Baku, Ferrari lacked the race-day pace of Mercedes and Red Bull. He anticipates Sepang will be more favorable, though closing the gap to the leaders remains tough.

5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
Form: Madrid did not race; Baku P3. Championship: P8
Returning from a fractured wrist, Hadjar delivered an impressive comeback in Baku by qualifying fourth—ahead of Max Verstappen—and finishing third on the podium. He carries a five-place grid penalty into Sepang for exceeding power-unit components.

4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
Form: Madrid P3; Baku DNF. Championship: P4
Baku halted a stellar run that included wins in Hungary and the Netherlands, followed by podiums in Monza and Madrid. Caught in the Alpine collision, Norris also faced battery deployment concerns over Sepang's high-speed corners, yet remains expected to perform strongly on abrasive asphalt.

3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Form: Madrid P1; Baku P5. Championship: P1
Antonelli hit a bump in Baku after a qualifying crash forced him to start 16th, though he recovered to finish fifth and maintains a 66-point lead over George Russell. With Mercedes introducing their first major upgrade since Canada, Antonelli remains a primary favorite for the podium.

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Form: Madrid P2; Baku P2. Championship: P6
An engine issue compromised Verstappen's qualifying in Baku, relegating him to eighth, but he charged through to finish second just 0.196 seconds behind Russell. Having won the last F1 race at Sepang in 2017, Verstappen looks to challenge for his first win of the season.

1. George Russell (Mercedes)
Form: Madrid P5; Baku P1. Championship: P2
Russell secured pole position, led throughout, and successfully held off Verstappen to claim his first career Grand Slam in Baku. Backed by new Mercedes upgrades heading into Sepang, Russell enters the weekend brimming with momentum and confidence.

Bahrain GP Podiums Prediction