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McLaren Sets Competitive Pace in Bahrain, Red Bull Faces Challenges

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has expressed concerns that McLaren may possess a performance edge over competitors during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. Horner noted that the team led by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris has demonstrated exceptional speed, outpacing their rivals significantly. This raises doubts about the possibility of a repeat performance from Max Verstappen, who recently achieved a remarkable victory at Suzuka.

During the second practice session, Piastri managed to outperform his teammate Norris, leading the two McLarens a half-second ahead of George Russell from Mercedes and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari. Verstappen, who did not participate in the first practice session as Red Bull gave reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa a chance to compete, found himself in seventh place, trailing by eight-tenths of a second. Additionally, Yuki Tsunoda finished down in 18th while testing various setup options.

Horner has articulated that the nature of the Bahrain circuit, known for its heat and abrasive surface, may benefit McLaren’s performance relative to Red Bull’s current setup and tyre management. “We have a significant amount of work ahead of us tonight,” he stated during an interview. “While Mercedes and Ferrari seem to be quite close, McLaren appears to have a distinct advantage.” He emphasized the team’s need to focus on improving their overall performance, particularly how they manage tyre temperatures during the race.

Challenges for Red Bull in Bahrain

Reflecting on the events from the previous weekend in Japan, where adjustments were made to the car setup that ultimately led to Verstappen’s success, Horner cautioned that repeating such a feat in Bahrain may be challenging due to the track’s characteristics. He noted, “It’s unrealistic to expect the same single-lap performance, especially while trying to fend off quicker cars over the entire race distance. This track allows for overtaking, which adds complexity to our strategy,” he remarked.

Technical Insight from Helmut Marko

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, shared similar sentiments regarding the difficulties faced by the team. In an interview, he acknowledged that Red Bull’s speed deficit extends beyond just engine settings used typically during practice sessions. “Our pace is lacking, and we are struggling with tyre overheating,” he stated, reinforcing what Verstappen had expressed regarding the challenges at this circuit. Marko highlighted that controlling tyre temperatures is crucial, as overheating leads to decreased performance and increased sliding of the car.

He did note a moment during practice when the tyres began to recover health, allowing for comparable lap times to those of Lando Norris, albeit for a limited number of laps. “However, this was only a brief period amidst a total of 15 laps. The characteristics of this circuit do not align with our strengths, particularly under high-temperature conditions,” he concluded.

As the teams prepare for the upcoming races, Red Bull faces a steep challenge in overcoming these hurdles while McLaren looks poised to leverage their strong form in Bahrain.

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