Some speak of a crisis, some of misunderstandings, some of bad luck. But after Bahrain, in the McLaren pits, the feeling is the same: the wind is changing. It is not a storm, but a slow and silent change of direction. And it is Oscar Piastri who is at the helm. Because if Lando Norris has been given confidence, he appears dull, impatient, at times lost. The young Australian instead is taking shape: the second pole of his career, a missile under the seat and increasingly at ease in the car. And at McLaren they are certainly realizing it. Or maybe they have always pretended not to see.
The surprise, but not so much, of Oscar Piastri
No fireworks, no proclamations, but consistent performances. A clear reading of the situations and above all a serenity that stands out between the lines of the team radio and post-race statements, which denotes a maturity without deception. Piastri is like that, without mincing words, but only laps of the track. Fast and without a doubt the best. Because even when the driver is behind and makes it seem like his is a difficult situation, a single thrust is enough to score: pole position, P1 and celebrations.
Meanwhile, Norris leaves the Bahraini weekend with harsh words for himself. “I made too many mistakes, it was a disastrous race”, admits the British, almost offended by his performance and that of the pit wall, disappointed by a car that doesn't seem to respond to his commands. Despite a first win of the season, Oscar seems to be the one who brings home points and confirmations. And that first place in the drivers' standings for Lando is really on the brink of an imminent checkmate. The most evident difference, for now, is not in the stopwatch but in the attitude. And perhaps, in the way in which both are experiencing this new internal balance.
🎙️ | oscar's post race interview in bahrain!
— Piastri News🍊 (@PiastriNews) April 13, 2025
🐨: "...it's been a great weekend starting with qualifying [...] and then the race today, I felt like we had it under control. very proud of the team for giving us a great car, proud of myself for putting a good weekend together..." pic.twitter.com/13fAroztX5
The weight of expectations
Because Lando Norris may be the experienced driver, of unquestionable talent and the symbolic face of McLaren in recent years, but he is going through a strange moment. Excels in free practice, he proves incredible in qualifying, and then? In his statements he lets a deep frustration shine through, not only for the results, but for a feeling that is more difficult to define: that of not being able to get in tune with the car, with the weekend, with himself. Something that already last year seemed to be fighting inside him and that we thought he was solving with a more combative attitude.
Because today you have to be more or equal to Max Verstappen to be able to be a hero. “These McLarens are really fast!”, Gasly said on team radio, but the one wearing the helmet has to be the same, otherwise they remain fleeting victories. And over the years, without lying, we have seen all sorts of things (let's not end up like the good Ricciardo!). Several times, in recent days, he has said he doesn't know how to explain what isn't working. And when a pilot can't give himself answers, the problem becomes bigger. A problem that does not seem so obvious in Piastri's mind, given that, on the contrary, he doesn't look for answers because he seems to already have them. Or at least, he moves as if he found them.
On the podium but with other goals: Norris' crisis
Piastri is not yet the leader of McLaren, but he behaves like someone who knows where he wants to go, unlike Norris. Let's face it, he is gaining ground subtly but steadily. In qualifying he holds his own, in the race he capitalizes. He doesn't make any gross errors, he doesn't let himself be overwhelmed. And, not least, he doesn't seem at all intimidated by Norris' shadow, even though the two have an excellent relationship.
The internal dualism in McLaren is thus starting to get interesting. For years, Lando has been the spearhead of an ambitious project, built on him. But today that role is no longer exclusive. Not because the team has decided to dethrone him, but because Oscar is carving out space for himself naturally, without forcing. When this happens in Formula 1, it is not surprising. It is only a matter of time before the team also recognizes it.
What you notice, in fact, is not only the performance on the single lap or the race pace. But it is the body language, the tone with which you speak on the radio, the management of the weekend. Norris is more prone to error, to false starts, to the pressure of the pole, less lucid. Not because he is less good. He is a noteworthy driver, but he lets himself be weakened by the alternation of the scales: if one becomes more solid, the other falters. Letting the car decide in that case, and no longer him. And when the car does not seem to cooperate... there you have it.
Bahrain GP 2025: A turning point?
It's not that the Bahrain this season 2025 is symbolically the official baptism of the best driver of the Papaya house. In hindsight, we are not talking about a defeat for Lando, nor a triumph for Oscar, but of a key passage in which the lines come closer, perhaps touch, but perhaps also begin to reverse. McLaren is aware of the differences between Norris and Piastri, but knows it can get consistency from both and therefore lets them do it.
So, the real question becomes: what's really happening to lando norris? He has the freedom to act, but he struggles with the new philosophy of the team, a car that this year requires more discipline in corner entry, a more aggressive but controlled management of the rear. On the other hand, Piastri seems to have found the way and the McLaren square, while Lando has not yet. And yet, it can't be all there is to it.
Who will really lead the McLaren turnaround?
The risk is that this malaise of the number 4 becomes a spiral. Because the smiles on the podium may be true, because everyone is happy when they take home the trophy, but when a driver begins to doubt himself, even the team struggles to find the right key to support him. And if in the meantime the teammate grows, a short circuit is created that we have already seen elsewhere in the past: Ricciardo vs Verstappen, Vettel vs Leclerc, Hamilton vs Russell. McLaren, meanwhile, is walking a fine line. On the one hand, it must protect the Briton, guarantee him trust and time. On the other, it cannot ignore the potential that the Australian is showing. It is a long, tight championship, where every point counts and whoever brings more results simply deserves more space.
For now, the team is playing to keep everything under control, with balanced statements and great attention to diplomacy. But the numbers and feelings speak clearly: Piastri is growing, Norris is looking for a way out and among the curves of the desert, in Sakhir, perhaps we have glimpsed the beginning of a new McLaren phase. Maybe we will see it progress in the next races but Piastri is no longer just the promising youngster of McLaren, he is a credible protagonist and Norris must decide whether to let himself be overtaken or relaunch himself. There is never enough time to respond in the top category. But the season is still long…
