Lando Norris of McLaren faced disappointment with his P7 starting position at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite believing he had the pace for a front-row start alongside Max Verstappen.
McLaren’s promising performance in the MCL38 during Friday’s qualifying session at Bahrain International Circuit had hinted at a stronger outcome. However, Norris’s final Q3 lap was compromised by a slight oversteer at Turn 1, costing him crucial time.
Expressing his frustration, Norris admitted to not extracting the full potential from qualifying due to the errors. However, he acknowledged the team’s efforts in providing a competitive car and remained optimistic about making up ground in the race.
Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, shared similar sentiments despite starting alongside him on the fourth row.
While acknowledging the challenges faced during qualifying, Piastri highlighted McLaren’s improved performance compared to the previous year, instilling confidence for the race ahead.
Both drivers aim to capitalize on their race pace and strategize for a strong showing in the Bahrain Grand Prix despite the formidable competition ahead.