Lando Norris’s remarkable performance during the second day of the pre-season testing in Bahrain in 2025 has competitors questioning whether McLaren has made significant progress with its new Formula 1 car. Norris left the spectators and competitors awestruck by clocking up to a second faster per lap, and a whopping 31 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc over three combined stints during the Thursday evening race simulation.
This staggering advantage mirrors the edge Red Bull enjoyed a year ago before the commencement of the 2024 season, sparking debates about the potential outcome of the upcoming season, touted to be one of the most fiercely competitive in recent years. However, these raw figures only narrate one side of the story, and there are several factors that make McLaren’s rivals skeptical about the authenticity of this margin.
McLaren is not getting ahead of itself, recognizing that the unique conditions in Bahrain could have influenced the outcome. According to team principal Andrea Stella, the race simulation was conducted using a different tyre strategy compared to rivals, with Norris using a C3/C2/C1 sequence, while Antonelli and Leclerc opted for C3/C1/C2. The difference makes it challenging to distinguish between the influence of the car’s raw performance versus the effect of tyre performance.
Stella emphasized that McLaren’s tyre choice was primarily aimed at understanding the behaviour of each compound, given the significant changes Pirelli has made to the nature of the compounds this year. The team’s objective was not to chase the optimum but to gain insights into the ideal compounds for the race.
Engine modes also played a crucial role in Norris’s speed. Trackside observations revealed that Norris clocked a speed of 291 km/h, a significant increase from his previous 286 km/h speed. However, the team is cautious not to read too much into these promising figures due to the unusually cool weather conditions that have affected the Bahrain test. Cooler temperatures can significantly influence how the cars perform, and Stella warned that the testing conditions are far from those expected during the actual races.
The Bahrain circuit has traditionally been a challenging one for McLaren, although the team seems to be faring better this year. Stella, however, cautioned against getting too comfortable, pointing out that the unique conditions could be masking potential issues. He also highlighted the potential challenges associated with traction requirements and stability.
Lando Norris, after his first day’s running, had noted a weakness in the car’s rear end, which Stella acknowledged. However, he stated that such limitations are inherent to the Bahrain circuit, and the team has been working on strengthening the rear end.
Stella concluded by saying that while they have made improvements, the only time he recalls such limitations being completely eliminated was when radical changes like the introduction of blown floors were made, and that was way back in the early 2010s. He emphasized that under the current regulations, the goal is to reduce, not eliminate, these limitations.
