A dejected Lando Norris confessed to not being fast enough after an unexpected sixth-place qualifying result for the Bahrain Grand Prix. This contrasted sharply with his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, who achieved pole position.
McLaren, having demonstrated strong pace during practice sessions at Sakhir, entered qualifying as favorites to dominate the front row for Sunday`s race.
However, as conditions cooled in the Bahrain evening, their advantage diminished, with rival teams closing the gap. While Piastri maintained his form and secured pole, Norris finished four-tenths of a second behind, placing him on the third row.
“I didn`t even improve by a tenth on my second Q3 lap,” Norris told Sky Sports F1, expressing his frustration. “I`m just not quick enough.”
In a brief post-qualifying interview, Norris`s disappointment was evident. When questioned about where things went wrong, he simply pointed to himself, saying “here.” He reiterated, “No idea. Honestly, no idea. Just not quick enough.”
Despite starting further back than anticipated, Norris remains the championship leader. He will start the race behind Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Pierre Gasly, and Kimi Antonelli, with Piastri trailing him by 10 points in the standings.
Max Verstappen, only one point behind Norris after winning in Japan, will start seventh, just behind Norris. Red Bull is experiencing a challenging weekend.
When asked about his prospects for Sunday starting from sixth, Norris commented, “It`s just another day. We`ll analyze what went wrong today and try again tomorrow.”
Regarding his mindset for the Grand Prix, Norris simply stated, “Nothing. Go to sleep.”
Piastri and McLaren Confident Norris Can Recover in the Race
If the race concluded in starting order, Piastri would overtake Norris in the Drivers` Championship for the first time this season.
Nevertheless, McLaren`s anticipated superior race pace, coupled with the Bahrain circuit`s overtaking opportunities and expected multiple pit stops, should enable Norris to advance through the field. Piastri himself anticipates this, stating to Sky Sports F1, “It`s going to be close throughout the field. I`m expecting Lando to come through.”
Zak Brown, McLaren`s CEO, shared a similar optimistic outlook for Norris. “Tomorrow is a new day,” Brown remarked. “He has a fantastic race car, he`s an exceptional driver, and he`s leading the championship. He just needs a fresh start and a good night`s sleep. He slightly missed the first sector, highlighting Formula 1`s competitiveness.”
Brown added, “Overtaking is possible here, so we need a strong start. We anticipate a couple of pit stops, potential Safety Cars, and strategic planning to support him. He definitely has a fast car at his disposal.”
