Norris plays down McLaren’s practice pace as he claims rivals ‘didn’t turn up’ on first day in Bahrain

Lando Norris has moved to calm expectations around McLaren’s potential at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix after the team topped both of Friday’s practice sessions – including a dominant FP2 display.

Following on from Norris leading first practice, the Briton backed up team mate Oscar Piastri in a 1-2 during the evening session, where the papaya cars were around half a second clear of their nearest rival in Mercedes’ George Russell.

Asked to reflect on his and the team’s eye-catching day, Norris started by calling it “horrendous” as he compared their experience – particularly with tyre degradation on longer runs – to February’s pre-season test in much cooler conditions.

“A difficult day, just re-adapting back to the reality of Bahrain, the difficulties of Bahrain, which make it tough,” he said. “It will make it exciting on Sunday, because the degradation is incredible today comparing to the test.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 11: Sparks fly behind Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) — McLaren lit up the timesheets during Friday practice at the Bahrain International Circuit

“It’s kind of weird today, because everything feels dreadful but I think relatively our pace was still in a reasonable place. I think a reasonable Friday.”

Pushed on whether that “dreadful” feeling was down to set-up or the conditions, Norris added: “I think it’s just conditions. It’s just the temperature, it’s hot, it’s windy… it’s more the temperature which makes such a big difference. It is what it is, it’s the same challenge for everyone.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix

“A big challenge is how can you look after the rear tyres in the best way possible. A lot of it is… we came into this weekend with a lot of our information from the pre-season test, but it’s basically like throw all of that in the bin and just start again, because it’s so different today.”

Norris then pointed to the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari not showing their hands over the first two sessions – tipping them to step forward as Qualifying approaches.

“I just don’t think they turned up,” he stated. “Everyone just looks at the timesheets, they have no idea about the information on who turns up, who doesn’t… it’s like three-and-a-half, four-tenths around here, so that puts us back in the same position as the Mercedes.”

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 11: Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes in — Piastri was a tenth-and-a-half quicker than Norris at the top of the timesheets

Pace-setter Piastri shared similar feelings to Norris as he emphasised the importance of McLaren not only having a quick car in Qualifying, but also for the race amid hot temperatures and high tyre degradation.

“I’m pretty happy, to be honest,” he commented. “The car felt like it was in a good place. FP1 was a very different story! I’m glad that everything came together a bit more. I think the one-lap pace looked strong and the longer running looked reasonable as well.”

Asked if he was surprised by the gap to the rest of the field, the Australian said: “Yes and no. I think for it to be quite that big was a bit of a surprise, but I think the others will find a bit more tomorrow – I think it will be pretty close.

“It’s nice to have it now, but Bahrain is also a track that you can overtake on, and tyre deg is a big, big factor. Qualifying here is still going to be important, but I think we need to make sure we’ve got a good race car as well.”