The Formula 1 season started this weekend in Bahrain, but no one apparently told McLaren.
To say that McLaren had a rough race would be an understatement. Oscar Piastri, on his debut, originally needed to switch out his steering wheel. Once that happened, the car wouldn’t come back on, and a gearbox issue took him out of the race.
For Lando Norris, he suffered a pneumatic issue and while he could continue, he was forced to pit multiple times throughout the race. That sent him to the back, and if it wasn’t for Esteban Ocon serving multiple penalties, and Charles Leclerc having a mechanical issue, there would be no chance for Norris to pass anyone.
Many took notice at McLaren’s bad day. Some Daniel Ricciardo fans especially took notice as the popular Ricciardo was released at the end of last season.
Daniel Ricciardo watching McLaren without him… pic.twitter.com/8SjRvw1H2S
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 5, 2023
Check in on your McLaren supporting friends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qZlzS08z0p
— Jimmy Broadbent (@JimmyBroadbent) March 5, 2023
McLaren pic.twitter.com/y6Vgk99N8J
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) March 5, 2023
Alpine and McLaren duking it out for 18th #BahrainGP https://t.co/hVUDFVEWpn
— Brad Nash (@bradgalriri) March 5, 2023
Mclaren pic.twitter.com/vKuv8FSXYM
— Massinha F1 (@MassinhaF1_) March 5, 2023
McLaren and Alpine battling for 4th in 2022
McLaren and Alpine in 2023: #P1 pic.twitter.com/JO6aLihs4U
— Tom Bellingham (@TomP1Bellingham) March 5, 2023
McLaren’s cars 18 laps into the F1 season pic.twitter.com/XgrRc0D0tX
— Alanis King (@alanisnking) March 5, 2023
McLaren fans pic.twitter.com/e99OMHPMk5
— breals 🏁 (@sophieebrearley) March 5, 2023
how Daniel sleeps at night knowing he got paid $18M to NOT drive the mclaren pic.twitter.com/5NEmAR6JeZ
— 🐯 (@stopbeingthem) March 5, 2023
In fairness to McLaren, it’s just the first race. They’re certainly starting from behind, but they have 22 more races to get points. If anything, it’s a shame for Piastri because he could use F1 racing experience, and he lost out on a lot of laps with his retirement.
They’ll just have to put Bahrain behind them and look forward to the race in Saudi Arabia in two weeks.
[Photo: @McLarenF1]
