With three days of testing and three practice sessions in Bahrain, there was a lot of speculation about where each team stands in the Formula 1 pecking order for 2024. With the first qualifying session out of the way, we now have a much better picture of where each team stands. Red Bull and Max Verstappen are still the pair to beat as the Dutchman clinched the first pole position of the season. However, McLarens were left wanting more after the confidence they had shown in their progress since last year. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri find themselves in the 4th row of the grid for the race on Saturday behind a Mercedes and an Aston Martin, two teams they were hoping to be ahead of.

During the post-qualifying interviews, Norris explained that it was not the car, but rather his mistake that cost him a better starting position. “I messed up Sector 1. Cost me 1.5 tenths,“ he said. “Frustrating and I felt like I want to push a bit more. Wrong thing to do. The car was easily good enough for a front row. Happy with that. I just didn’t deliver.“

READ MORE: Lando Norris Confident of Grabbing 1st F1 Win in 2024, Labeling MCL38 as McLaren’s “Best” Ever

Despite not being able to capitalize on the car’s performance in qualifying, Norris remains optimistic about the car underneath him.

Lando Norris is happy with the package McLaren has given him

Despite his disappointment, Norris praised the team for their efforts and expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance over the weekend. In addition to Norris’ challenges, his teammate Piastri also faced difficulties. Piastri, making his Grand Prix debut at the same track where he struggled to advance from Q1 the previous year, described the session as “tricky.”

He noted that the car didn’t feel as good as it did in the previous sessions, indicating a need to investigate the issue further. However, Piastri remained optimistic about McLaren’s overall performance, highlighting improvements compared to their performance at the same track a year prior. “It’s close, very close. I think we’re in the mix roughly but it seems it’s very tight between everyone… I don’t think Red Bull is quite as quick as everyone first feared, so hopefully that sets up an interesting year,” said the Aussie.

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With teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin starting ahead, both McLaren drivers recognize the challenge they will face come race day tomorrow. Despite their starting positions, Norris and Piastri are determined to make progress during the Bahrain Grand Prix, aiming to move up the order and secure valuable points for the team.

Will Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri be able to make their way up during the race tomorrow? What are your thoughts on the matter?