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Lando Norris continues to face problems understanding his McLaren MCL39, even after securing a podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race, held over the weekend, showed clear signs that Norris has yet to connect with his car’s behavior on the track.

He finished third, trailing behind teammate Oscar Piastri, who won the race, and George Russell of Mercedes. Despite the strong result, Norris admitted feeling out of sync with the car. “I wish I knew the answer,” he said. “I don’t know what’s not clicking, but I’m nowhere near my full potential, and that’s painful to admit.”

Piastri’s Confidence Grows While Norris Feels Lost

Oscar Piastri took pole position and maintained a strong lead throughout the race. His win marked his second of the season, highlighting how comfortable he feels with the MCL39. In contrast, Norris’s results show a struggle to adapt.

“Last season, I knew exactly what to expect from the car. This year, it’s the complete opposite,” Norris explained. His current lead in the championship is just three points—barely ahead of Piastri, who is gaining ground fast.

The difference in how each driver connects with the car is becoming more obvious with every race.

Russell Faces His Own Problems During the Race

George Russell had his own set of challenges during the Bahrain Grand Prix. He reported issues with his car’s braking system and onboard data. “I had all sorts of problems. One minute the brakes worked, the next they didn’t,” he said. “I was relieved to see the chequered flag.”

His performance was solid given the circumstances, but it added another layer of drama to an already intense race weekend.

Norris Seeks Answers as Season Pressure Builds

With more races coming up, Norris must figure out how to get comfortable with the McLaren MCL39. The team knows the car has strong potential—as shown by Piastri’s back-to-back wins. But if Norris can’t adjust quickly, he risks falling behind in the title race.

“I know I can drive well. That’s not the issue,” he said. “But I just don’t feel connected to the car right now.”

This disconnect raises questions about car setup, driving style, and the team’s strategy to help both drivers perform equally well.

McLaren’s Strategy May Define the Season

McLaren now faces a unique challenge—managing a car that clearly performs but behaves differently for its two drivers. The engineers will likely study data from both Piastri and Norris to figure out what’s going wrong.

Experts suggest that individual driver feedback will be crucial in fine-tuning the car for each race. Simple adjustments in balance, suspension, or electronics might help Norris regain confidence.

If McLaren wants to compete for the Constructors’ Championship, they need both drivers performing at a high level. And fast.

The next race will be key. Norris has a chance to reset and work with the team to find what’s missing. Meanwhile, Piastri continues to grow in confidence and consistency.

As the season continues, all eyes will be on McLaren’s internal rivalry—and whether Norris can overcome his struggles to keep his title hopes alive.