Lando Norris, despite securing a third-place finish at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, finds himself struggling to adapt to his McLaren car. The British driver, who has shown immense potential in previous seasons, admitted he is currently unable to connect with his car, even as teammate Oscar Piastri dominated the race. Norris’s frustration grows as he seeks answers to why he is unable to replicate the form that has earned him previous podiums.

Piastri Dominates, Norris Left Puzzled

Oscar Piastri delivered a flawless performance at the Bahrain GP, starting from pole position and cruising to victory with a 15-second margin over George Russell. Piastri’s second win of the season solidifies McLaren’s status as a formidable force in Formula 1. On the other hand, Norris, who qualified sixth, is left scratching his head over his struggles.

“I wish I knew the answer,” Norris said after the race. “I don’t. As a driver, you just know when things click—and right now, they don’t. I’m nowhere near where I know I can be. That hurts.”

While Norris still holds a narrow three-point lead in the drivers’ championship, Piastri’s dominant performance and growing confidence with the MCL39 have raised questions about Norris’s struggles. Piastri now boasts two wins, while Norris has only secured one this season.

McLaren’s Championship Car, But Norris Struggles to Unlock Potential

Norris acknowledged that the McLaren is a championship-caliber car, but something isn’t clicking for him. “Something’s just not clicking with me,” he confessed. “I can’t do the laps I did last year. Back then, I felt totally on top of the car. This year, it’s the opposite—even in Australia, where I won, I never felt confident.”

The contrast between Norris’s lack of confidence and Piastri’s comfort with the MCL39 is stark. As the team’s lead driver, Norris is expected to lead McLaren’s charge for the title, but unless he can figure out how to unlock the potential of his car, Piastri could soon become the team’s primary contender for the championship.

Russell Faces Issues with His Car

While Norris wrestles with his connection to his car, George Russell, who finished second, also had to contend with significant mechanical issues late in the race. Russell reported problems with his steering wheel data and brake pedal failures, which led to an unstable and challenging end to his race.

“The final laps were really tough,” Russell explained. “I lost all steering wheel data, and the brake pedal went into failure mode. One moment the brakes worked, the next they didn’t. I was glad to see the flag.”

Can Norris Regain His Confidence?

With the season still in its early stages, Norris remains in the fight for the title. However, his struggles to connect with his car are becoming increasingly concerning. McLaren has a car capable of winning the championship, as demonstrated by Piastri’s success, but Norris has yet to find the rhythm that made him a contender in 2024.

The mental and mechanical challenge that Norris faces is not uncommon in motorsport, where confidence and comfort with the car can make the difference between victory and defeat. As McLaren continues to develop their car, the question remains: can Norris unlock the full potential of the MCL39, or will Piastri continue to shine and become the team’s main title contender?

With the pressure mounting, Norris will need to make adjustments soon to keep up with his teammate and continue his championship pursuit. Only time will tell if he can regain his confidence and unlock the car’s true performance potential.