Norris Leads Bahrain GP Practice Amid McLaren's Surge

Lando Norris set the fastest time during the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix, despite the session being largely unrepresentative due to extreme heat. McLaren has made significant adjustments to improve the MCL39 car's predictability, following Norris's discomfort with its handling this season. Since the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, McLaren has shown improvement, with Norris leading the championship and securing podium finishes in all 2025 races so far. Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, has also performed strongly, particularly in qualifying. Despite McLaren's success, Norris downplayed claims of having the fastest car, attributing their advantage to rivals potentially running in lower power modes. The team aims to maintain momentum in Bahrain, with both drivers closely matched in pace and skill, benefiting the team's development efforts.