Oscar Piastri: Gradually, everything starts to take shape

      McLaren drivers topped the protocol of Friday's training sessions in Bahrain, while Oscar Piastri's result is one and a half tenths better than Lando Norris'. Although the Australian rider was surprised that they beat even their closest rivals by more than half a second, his team-mate believes that it was a very difficult day.

      Lando Norris (2nd): "It was terrible… It was a very difficult day, because today I had to adapt to the Bahraini reality again, to all the difficulties of this track. However, what made life difficult for us today may make Sunday's race exciting.

      The fact is that the degradation was incredibly intense compared to the pre-season tests. In general, the day left a strange impression, but although on the one hand everything seems almost frightening, nevertheless we showed a good pace. I think we can say that Friday went relatively well."

      Oscar Piastri (1st): "To be honest, I'm happy. It looks like the car has a good balance, although it was different in the first session. But I'm glad that things are gradually starting to take shape.

      We showed a good pace on one fast lap, and on a long series of laps, too – in general, I'm really happy. We will continue to work on some aspects to make things even better, but overall the first day of the weekend turned out well.

      It is surprising that the gap from the rivals turned out to be so large, but I think that tomorrow they will add, and the results will be very tight again. In addition, it is possible to overtake on the Bahrain highway, as well as a significant impact from the degradation of rubber.

      Qualifying is important anyway, but we also have to try to prepare the car for the race as well as possible."