P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris has contended he is expecting McLaren’s advantage to be “lessened” at the Bahrain GP, but that is not a view shared among his F1 rivals.
McLaren’s unbeaten streak in the campaign ended in Japan last weekend after Max Verstappen’s impressive performance secured victory for the reigning F1 champion. The limited overtaking opportunities at Suzuka hindered McLaren, with the resurfaced track nullifying their advantage in tyre preservation, as acknowledged by team boss Andrea Stella. However, Bahrain’s high temperatures and abrasive track surface are expected to favor McLaren, prompting concerns from their competitors. George Russell believes McLaren will shine in Bahrain, where their superior performance in high-degradation conditions could be decisive. Despite concerns about Bahrain’s slow-speed corners exposing weaknesses in the MCL39, McLaren remains confident in their abilities to adapt and compete at a high level.
