McLaren finished at the top of the timesheets in both FP1 and FP2 ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. Despite this, Lando Norris, like many others on the grid, was disappointed in the performance of his Papaya machinery. The championship leader went as far to say the team’s pre-season testing data could be “thrown in the bin,” as he lamented the change in conditions.
The Bahrain International Circuit is home to both pre-season testing and the fourth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The former, based in late February, exhibits vastly different conditions to this weekend’s race. Friday’s FP1 sees an even more enormous variation in temperature, hence why we saw so many reserve drivers on track earlier today with the conditions being barely comparable to Sunday’s Grand Prix.
It was unusually cool at the circuit as pre-season testing took place, with air temperatures barely rising past 20°C, and track temperatures struggling to reach 19°C. Compare that to this weekend and the temperatures were much higher. FP1 saw track temperatures close to 50°C. Even with the sun setting, 18:00 local time saw the track temperature still reaching 38°C with high winds making things more complicated for the drivers.
Why temperature matters
Temperature affects almost every aspect of car performance, but the tyres are one of the most affected parts of the system.
In hotter environments, the rubber gets softer and will exhibit more grip faster. But due to there not being adequate cooling, even on the McLaren with what seems to be a miraculous use of air around its brakes and wheel hub, the rubber swings the other way and out of its operating window. Norris described it as “incredible” degradation compared to testing.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
This rear-limited circuit is more abrasive compared to Japan last weekend. While both tracks utilise the same tyre compounds, we’ll see a very different race unfold this Sunday because of these factors.
“The track and weather conditions are very different and we saw from today’s long runs that the level of thermal degradation on the tyres, not just on the rear axle but in some cases also on the front, was very high,” said Simone Berra, Pirelli’s chief engineer.
“It is therefore easy to imagine a two-stop race, with all three compounds potentially playing their part. It’s no coincidence that, unlike last year, seven teams have already run a set of Hard tyres.”
Norris discussed the limitations of these conditions to the media:
“The big challenge is how can you look after the rear tyres in the best way possible. It’s just – a lot of it is like, you know, we came into this weekend with a lot of our information from the pre-season tests, but it’s basically like, throw all of that in the bin and just start again, because it’s so different today.”
The performance delta is so substantial that Norris describes his performance as “seconds off what we were doing” during testing. This isn’t hyperbole. Around a 5.4km track, this is the reality.
“So… yeah. Difficult, but I think a good starting point to the weekend. Plenty of things for the team and myself to work on.”
Teams must reset their understanding, even after pre-season testing’s 3,896 laps around the circuit.
Despite the pessimism, both McLaren drivers showed strong performance today. Norris commanded FP1 with a time of 1:33.204, and Piastri led FP2 with a 1:30.505. Note the almost three-second difference. This proves McLaren’s broad operating window and superior tyre temperature control, especially compared to Red Bull which looks to be struggling in this area. As always do assume the usual practice caveats.
“Everyone just looks at the time sheets,” Norris continued on this point. “They have no idea about the information – on who turns up, who doesn’t. You know, it’s like three-and-a-half, four-tenths around here, so that puts us immediately back in the same position as the Mercedes.
“So, at the minute, I wouldn’t say we’re any quicker.”
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