McLaren has concluded its pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, completing an intensive three-day programme to fine-tune the MCL39 ahead of the 2025 F1 season. Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris contributed to gathering crucial data on performance, aerodynamics, and setup adjustments under varying track conditions.
Challenging conditions, positive results
The final day of F1 testing in Bahrain brought tougher conditions for McLaren and all the other teams, with increased wind and fluctuating temperatures impacting car handling. Lando Norris started the morning session, tackling a mix of long stints and shorter performance runs.
Despite the challenges, including a moment at turn 4, he successfully completed the testing program, focusing on tyre behaviour and set-up optimisation.
“Much trickier conditions on track this morning with the wind and temperature,” Norris said. “Once I was comfortable, we worked through our plan and collected more data. We’ll now piece everything together to ensure we’re ready for Melbourne.”
Oscar Piastri took over in the afternoon, continuing aerodynamic evaluations and race simulations. While the team made setup changes, Piastri noted areas needing improvement but remained upbeat about McLaren’s progress.
“It was a productive three days. We learned a lot—some things felt good, others need work, but that’s what testing is for. The car ran reliably, which is a solid foundation heading into the season,” Piastri added.
Key takeaways: Performance, simulations, and reliability
Over the three days, McLaren honed three core areas: car performance, race simulations, and reliability. Aerodynamic testing and setup development helped refine the MCL39’s balance and handling, with both drivers providing valuable feedback. The team also focused on tyre degradation and fuel efficiency during extended runs, testing various compounds to prepare for full race distances.
Reliability was a standout, with minimal disruptions allowing McLaren to maximise track time. This consistent performance marks a significant improvement over previous seasons and boosts confidence ahead of the first race.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, praised the efforts at the track and back at the Woking factory:
“The end of three productive days here in Bahrain. We completed our aero tests this morning, before giving both Lando and Oscar a chance for some runs to allow them to gain insight into the capabilities of the car before we head to Australia. We also took the opportunity to make some further set-up changes as we continue to learn about the characteristics of the MCL39. The team here and in Woking have done a great job of bringing our new car to the track and allowing us to maximise all of the time available to us this week. We have plenty to analyse and work on before the first race of the season in two weeks’ time.”
Looking ahead to Melbourne
With testing complete, McLaren will now analyse the data gathered to make final refinements before the Australian Grand Prix on March 16. While testing doesn’t always reveal the full competitive picture, the MCL39’s reliability and the drivers’ insights offer a promising outlook as the team aims for a strong start to the season.
