No hiding McLaren s advantage says pole sitter Piastri

SAKHIR, Bahrain - Oscar Piastri said McLaren had the best car and there was no hiding it as the Australian set himself up as favourite for the Formula One champions third win in four races this season.

Piastri starts Sundays Bahrain Grand Prix on pole position, with championship leading teammate Lando Norris having his work cut out in sixth.

Im certainly not shying away from the fact we have the best car at the moment. I think to say otherwise is not correct, the Australian said after Saturdays qualifying at Sakhir.

But it is difficult and the margins are still pretty tight. It doesnt take much of a mistake to lose one or two tenths, and thats been the gap more or less, he added.

I certainly dont think were fast enough to do whatever we want, but we do have a nice advantage at the moment that were trying our best to make sure we continue to use week in, week out.

Norris won the opener in Melbourne, after Piastri skidded off track and finished ninth, but the Australian triumphed from pole in China.

Red Bulls four times world champion Max Verstappen ended McLarens winning run with victory in Japan last weekend, but Piastri could be the first repeat winner of the season.

While Norris struggled to get on top of his car, saying he had been clueless on track, the Australian saw things very differently.

Its been a car thats been relatively straightforward to put consistent laps on the board and its been quick as well, which is obviously the most important thing, he said.

Ive just felt very comfortable this weekend. I think Ive felt comfortable the whole season so far with the car weve got, but this weekend has been another step forward on top of