F1 Bahrain Grand Prix predictions: Ferrari hope for more Bahrain gains![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
![LiveScore logo](/ls-web-assets/images/icon_sl_circle-c0a24.webp)
![Charles Leclerc won in Bahrain last year and will be after more success on Sunday](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/01032023/99173d2a-fee6-49cf-97a3-73a0fe0bbe23.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
- A Ferrari started from pole in 11 of last year’s 22 races, including at the Bahrain GP
- Red Bull’s record in Bahrain is patchy, winning there only twice
- Recommended bets: Ferrari qualifying winning car, Pierre Gasly top 10 finish
Bahrain has been a happy hunting ground for Ferrari over the years and the Italians will be hoping for another strong performance in Sakir when the 2023 Formula 1 season gets under way this weekend.
The Scuderia have won more races in the archipelago nation than any other team, with Charles Leclerc leading home a one-two for Ferrari to get 2022 off to the best possible start.
Ferrari’s cause was helped by both Red Bull’s failing to finish that race as the eventual winners of the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships stumbled out of the gates in one of the most entertaining races of the year.
Red Bull would eventually go on to see off Ferrari with ease as Max Verstappen stormed to his second world title and the Milton Keynes-based outfit are expected to make up for last year’s false start in style.
Red Bull looked very strong in pre-season testing in Bahrain at the same track that Sunday’s race will be run on and Verstappen is 17/20 with LiveScore Bet to pick up where he left off with another win.
Red Bull out to end Bahrain hoodoo
It is tough to look beyond Verstappen for the win, even with this being the first race of a new season, such has been the consistency with which the Dutchman has driven over the last two years.
The 25-year-old is bidding to become the first Red Bull driver to win the Bahrain Grand Prix since Sebastian Vettel in 2012 and will be confident of achieving that goal, although Red Bull’s record at the track suggests he may not have things all his own way.
With Mercedes admitting they are unlikely to be challenging for the win in the season-opener, the onus to keep Red Bull honest is on Ferrari, who are hopeful they have solved some of the power unit issues that hindered them last season.
When on song, the Scuderia were able to challenge Red Bull, while they often had the edge over them when it came to one lap situations such as qualifying.
Ferrari recorded 11 pole positions to Red Bull’s nine last season, including Leclerc setting the fastest time in Bahrain last season — the sixth time a Scuderia has started this race from pole.
Red Bull may well turn out to be all-conquering again this season but qualifying is an area Ferrari will hope they can challenge and the Italians are 13/10 with LiveScore Bet to have the fastest car in qualifying.
Gasly can climb back into the points
Hoping to be in the mix for the podium places this weekend, and indeed all season, are Alpine, who have added Pierre Gasly to their line-up for 2023.
The Frenchman will have been glad to have left AlphaTauri behind after a difficult 2022 season for the team.
The 27-year-old finished 14th in the Drivers’ standings but has shown in the past he is capable of so much more, scoring 110 points the year before, while he has one win and two podiums on his CV.
![Pierre Gasly will be hoping for a good start to the new F1 season](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/60/2a/pierre-gasly_c22sj1p20ut71vh4fjbb3c7pq.jpg?t=-1216462461&operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Alpine are looking to challenge Mercedes at the head of the midfield and even though pre-season testing did not go to plan, an early upgrade is being prepared for a team that consistently ran in the points last year.
Gasly has failed to finish the last two races in Bahrain but can get back in the points this year and is 1/1 with LiveScore Bet to record a top-10 finish.