Shifting Gears: Bahrain’s buyout of Mclaren Racing and the 2025 F1 Season Preview

The 2025 F1 season is in full swing, with all eyes on McLaren following the acquisition of the franchise by Mumtalakat, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund in 2024, but has been a key investor in McLaren since 2007.

In line with Bahrain’s sustainability goals, McLaren is renowned for its innovations in electric vehicle technology. The company’s four-pillar sustainability plan includes transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and eliminating waste through groundbreaking design. As a comparative newcomer to the automotive industry, McLaren takes pride in its rapidly accumulated legacy of excellence in design and engineering. Automobile enthusiasts recognize the company’s earlier innovations, including the three-seater F1 to the speedy P1 and Senna models.

Bahrain remains a vibrant stage for the growing sport, and people across the Kingdom and the world look forward to the 2025 season. Pre-season testing was completed in Bahrain, priming the scene for a competitive year in Formula One. On April 13th, 2025, drivers will return to Bahrain for the highly anticipated Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. This year marks the 21st Bahrain Grand Prix, the first-ever F1 race in the Middle East. This year’s Bahrain Grand Prix’s title sponsor, Gulf Air, shares in celebrating their 75th anniversary on the weekend of the race.

In 2024, Red Bull’s reigning champion, Max Verstappen, started the season strong by winning eight of the first ten races before McLaren’s Lando Norris provided a robust challenge following updates to the car. Norris claimed victory in Miami and went on to win three more Grand Prix races mounting a challenge to Verstappen in the second half of the season. Mercedes and Ferrari also showed their strength, securing GP victories. Ultimately, Max Verstappen claimed the 2024 World Championship title, followed by Lando Norris in second and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third. McLaren won the Constructor’s Championship, which ranks according to the sum of both driver’s points, on the back of strong performances by both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri edging out Ferrari in the final race of the season.

Pre-season testing for the 2025 Formula 1 season wrapped up at the Bahrain International Circuit, home of the Bahrain Grand Prix, in Sakhir on February 28th. The three-day testing period allows engineers and drivers to test their cars, revise strategies, and make necessary technical changes. Collecting data and gaining valuable track time are the primary goals during pre-season testing.

While pre-season performance can offer insight into the teams to watch, it’s not always a reliable predictor of early-season success. Nevertheless, Formula One TV has announced its “Winners and Losers” after pre-season testing. Among the winners, McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Williams, and the rookie drivers all showed up strong. On the flip side, Sauber, Aston Martin, and Red Bull face challenges and will need to make significant improvements in the less than two weeks before the Australian Grand Prix.

Bahrain’s buyout of McLaren appears to be the boost the team needs to get back on top. The team emerged as a front-runner following pre-season testing, gathering crucial data and posting the fastest times on the first day of testing. The spotlight will be on the intense competition between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Both drivers are expected to claim victories in 2025, and with McLaren showing a projected lead after testing, fans are eagerly awaiting the first Grand Prix.

With McLaren emerging as the team to beat, Bahrain and fans worldwide are gearing up for an exciting season ahead. The first official Grand Prix will take place in Australia on March 16th, 2025. Until then, every team will work tirelessly to build on their pre-season performances and secure valuable points in the opening races.

The Embassy of Bahrain in the US is excited to witness the first lights out of the season!

Helpful Links:

F1 Schedule 2025
McLaren Group Completes Successful Capital Reorganisation
McLAREN Racing Sustainability
4 Winners and 3 Losers from pre-season testing – Who’s looking good ahead of the season-opening race?