SAKHIR, Bahrain — In the Bahrain Grand Prix, Lando Norris struggled, while his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri delivered a performance of championship caliber.
Piastri`s dominant weekend, marked by his fourth Formula 1 victory in 50 races, sharply contrasted with Norris`s experience. Norris confessed to feeling disconnected from his car after a sixth-place qualifying. Despite finishing third, Norris admitted ongoing difficulties in syncing with McLaren`s leading MCL39, a concerning revelation for his championship aspirations.
When asked about positives from the race, Norris wryly stated, `That I finished, probably.`
The sentiment within McLaren has shifted dramatically since preseason, when Norris was favored and Piastri, though talented, was seen as less consistent and needing development to contend for the title, particularly in qualifying. Piastri has surpassed these expectations, delivering a flawless performance indicative of a future champion.
Based on the Bahrain race and the season`s trajectory, Piastri appears to be the stronger contender between the two currently.
While it`s premature to dismiss Norris, and overreacting to one race weekend is unwise, context matters. Despite struggling with the car, Norris still leads the championship, albeit by a mere three points over Piastri, with 20 races remaining. There is ample time for Norris to adapt.
However, Piastri also has room for further improvement.
The contrast between them throughout the weekend was significant, following prior races in China and Japan where Piastri outperformed Norris.
Piastri`s consistent progress is undeniable, exceeding McLaren`s initial expectations, while Norris seems challenged by this emerging rivalry.
Norris`s Race Marred by Errors, Piastri Shines
Norris`s Bahrain race was error-prone from the start. A misaligned grid position led to a penalty. Norris described his race as self-sabotaging, hindering his progress.
Mistakes haunted Norris in the 2024 season despite a Miami victory. These issues seem to persist. In contrast, Piastri has shown remarkable consistency, with one minor misstep in 2025 in Australia.
In Australia, Piastri`s error in worsening rain conditions cost him a likely second place, finishing ninth. Norris made a similar mistake but recovered to win. The outcomes were drastically different for the McLaren drivers.
Since then, Piastri has been exceptional, making his Bahrain win his second of the season, while Norris has only one victory. Bahrain underscored Piastri`s growing strength.
Piastri expressed satisfaction with his Bahrain performance, highlighting its significance beyond just the win, marking a meaningful weekend.
The divergence between the drivers extends beyond the track. McLaren`s team principal Andrea Stella praised Piastri`s mental composure, noting his `no noise in Oscar`s head` approach, a valuable trait in F1.
Norris has openly discussed his mental approach, which, while admirable, has been used against him. Helmut Marko controversially suggested Norris lacked mental fortitude after Norris discussed race day anxiety.
Another key difference is their communication styles. Norris is known for detailed, sometimes self-critical answers, while Piastri is more concise. Sources indicate Piastri is consciously adopting a more understated approach, contrasting with Norris. This difference may become more pronounced as the season progresses.
Norris`s candor is a defining trait. He remained open post-race, acknowledging the need to reassess his approach to revitalize his championship bid.
Asked about potential negative impacts of self-criticism, Norris believes it`s more challenging to suppress his feelings. He views interviews as an outlet for frustration and has learned to manage external comments without internalizing negativity.
Norris admits to past self-doubt but recognizes his approach has contributed to his success and potential. He remains confident in his abilities to compete at the highest level.
Despite current challenges, Norris has shown resilience, overcoming criticism about his racecraft last year. His standout performances, like Abu Dhabi and Singapore in 2024, highlight his capability, adding to his current frustration with the 2025 car.
Norris is expected to intensely focus on improvement before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. A significant challenge is Piastri`s elevated performance, making Norris the one under pressure as they head to Jeddah.
While predictions for 2025 are premature, Piastri`s momentum is undeniable. For Norris to regain control, he needs to quickly rediscover his 2024 form before the season slips away.
