Lando Norris stood on the podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but his expression told a different story. Despite finishing third, the British driver left the track confused, frustrated, and searching for answers. His teammate Oscar Piastri, on the other hand, stole the show with a commanding pole-to-flag victory.
A Podium That Felt Hollow
For most drivers, finishing third at a Formula 1 Grand Prix would be a reason to celebrate. But for Lando Norris, the result in Bahrain felt more like a setback. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, not only won the race but did so in dominant fashion. Norris, meanwhile, admitted that he is far from feeling in control of his car.
“I wish I knew the answer,” Norris said after the race. “I honestly don’t have one — not even for myself. I’m just nowhere near the capability I know I have, which hurts to say.”
Norris had qualified only sixth, calling his performance in qualifying “clueless.” During the race, he fought back to claim third, but it was clear from his tone that he wasn’t happy with how the weekend went.
Confidence Still There — But Not the Feel
Even though Norris has one win this season — in Australia — he said he never felt confident, even during that victory. “Last year, I knew exactly how the car would behave. Now it’s the opposite,” he said. “Even in Australia, where I won, I didn’t feel fully comfortable.”
He added that McLaren’s strong car is making up for his struggles. “The car is so good right now, it’s saving me from a lot,” Norris said. “That’s the truth.”
Despite his feelings, Norris is still three points ahead of Piastri in the overall standings. But Piastri has two wins, and his comfort in the MCL39 is clear. Many fans and analysts believe that if Norris can’t regain control soon, Piastri may become the team’s lead driver for the rest of the season.
George Russell Battles Tech Issues for Second Place
While Norris wrestled with confidence, Mercedes driver George Russell had a different kind of fight. He placed second but said it was one of the hardest races he has faced in a long time.
“It was exceptionally difficult,” Russell said. “I lost all data on my steering wheel. The brake pedal also went into failure mode. I had to reset things over and over. One moment the brakes worked, the next they didn’t.”
Despite the technical trouble, Russell managed to hold off Norris and secure second place. He admitted that the chequered flag came as a huge relief. “It was just survival mode from that point,” he added.
McLaren’s Strength Is Clear
There’s no doubt about McLaren’s performance right now. The MCL39 is fast, stable, and proving to be a real threat to Red Bull and Ferrari. Piastri’s win in Bahrain showed just how good the car is — and how well he can drive it.
Team Principal Andrea Stella praised Piastri’s growth. “Oscar has shown maturity, speed, and calmness under pressure. He’s making the most of the car’s potential,” Stella said.
However, Stella also backed Norris, saying, “Lando is still one of the top drivers on the grid. We’ll help him get back to his best.”
The next race on the calendar is the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. It’s a track that both Norris and Piastri enjoy. But for Norris, it may feel like a turning point.
He will need to find the connection he’s missing with the car. Otherwise, Piastri may continue to pull ahead — both in points and in the eyes of McLaren’s leadership.
Fans still believe in Norris. He has long been seen as a future world champion. But Formula 1 is a fast-moving sport, and momentum is everything. Norris will need to act quickly if he wants to keep pace with his teammate.
Lando Norris may have finished on the podium in Bahrain, but he left the weekend with more questions than answers. With teammate Oscar Piastri in top form and McLaren at the front of the pack, the pressure is now on Norris to bounce back. The season is far from over, but every race counts. As Formula 1 heads to Japan, all eyes will be on whether Norris can recover his confidence and close the growing gap within his own team.