Piastri: It's a long race

McLaren's pace was ominous ever since their MCL39 turned a wheel around the Sakhir International Circuit this weekend, and while their advantage in qualifying was not as big as it was in practice, it was enough for Piastri to bag his second Formula 1 career pole position, McLaren's first in Bahrain.

"Pole!" Piastri trumpeted in McLaren's qualifying report. "I've felt good out there pretty much all weekend. We've had good pace, and the car feels great, which is the most important thing.

"It's a long race tomorrow, and lots can happen," the Aussie warned, "but we're starting in a strong position so I'm looking forward to it.

"There's work to do tonight but I can't thank the team enough for the car they've given me this weekend," he concluded.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella reflected on a qualifying session that saw one of his team's cars on pole, while the other, driven by Lando Norris, was only good for sixth.

The Italian commented on the diminished gap in performance McLaren had over its rivals; he said: "As we expected, the times were much closer in Qualifying as everyone looked to maximise what they had when it mattered.

"Despite this, Oscar did a great job to get his second Grand Prix Pole position and the team's first in Bahrain"

Of Norris' disappointing qualifying, Stella said: "Lando is a little frustrated not to be on the front row, but he has strong race pace and there is plenty that can be achieved tomorrow, at a circuit where overtaking is possible.

"Conditions could be challenging with both temperature and wind playing big factors here, along with high degradation, so we will be preparing for all the complexities the race has to offer," the McLaren TP concluded.