P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris claims McLaren “not quick enough” as the first Bahrain F1 test draws to a close.
McLaren driver Lando Norris has acknowledged that his team is currently lagging behind Red Bull and Ferrari as they prepare for the 2026 F1 season.
During the Bahrain pre-season test, both Red Bull and Ferrari showed strong performance, with Red Bull impressing with their newly built power unit.
Mercedes, initially considered favorites, now view Red Bull as the benchmark, particularly in terms of engine deployment on straights.
Norris emphasized the need for McLaren to improve, especially after comparing their pace to that of Ferrari.
He also highlighted the strength of the Red Bull power unit and the importance of understanding their efficiency in engine energy management.
McLaren’s technical director for engineering, Neil Houldey, stressed the significance of deployment strategies in maximizing performance on the track.
