Lando Norris finished third in the Bahrain Grand Prix but admitted that he is struggling to connect with his McLaren car. Despite securing a podium, the British driver remains uncertain about the cause of his performance issues. Beaten comprehensively by teammate Oscar Piastri, who led the race from pole to finish, Norris expressed frustration and confusion but emphasized that his confidence in his driving skills remains intact.
“Something’s Just Not Clicking” for Norris
After qualifying in sixth place, Norris described his performance as “clueless” and said that feeling carried over into the race. “I wish I knew the answer,” Norris admitted. “Even for myself, I don’t have it. As a driver, you just know when things click. Right now, I’m nowhere near my potential – and that hurts.”
Although Norris still leads the championship standings by a slim margin of three points, he now trails Piastri two wins to one. The Australian seems much more at ease in the McLaren MCL39, with Norris acknowledging that his teammate appears more comfortable in the car.
“I know I’m good enough. I’ve got what it takes,” said Norris. “But something’s not working. Last season, I felt totally in tune with the car. This year, even in Australia where I won, I never felt confident. The car’s performance is hiding a lot of my issues.”
Russell Overcomes Car Issues to Secure Second Place
George Russell, who finished second, also faced his share of struggles during the race. The British driver revealed that he encountered multiple technical difficulties in the final third of the race, including brake system problems and data loss on the steering wheel.
“It was really difficult towards the end,” said Russell. “At one point, the brakes were working, the next they weren’t. I had to reset systems mid-race. I was honestly glad to see the chequered flag.”
McLaren’s Dominance Clear – But Norris Remains at a Loss
Despite McLaren’s evident strength on the grid, Norris’s inability to match Piastri’s performance is becoming a growing concern. While Piastri seems to be in complete control of the car, Norris is still locked in a personal battle to unlock the same potential from his MCL39. The disparity between the two teammates is becoming more apparent, and Norris will need to find a solution quickly if he hopes to remain competitive in the title race.
As the season progresses, Norris’s challenge will be to regain the confidence and connection he had with his car in the previous season. With Piastri in top form and reigning champion Max Verstappen still lurking in the background, Norris will need to find his rhythm to stay in the hunt for the championship.