McLaren stray from F1 rivals with major Bahrain test decision

McLaren has opted to bring significantly fewer sets of the C3 compound - the softest tyre at the upcoming test - to Bahrain compared to rival teams.

The Woking-based squad enter the year as the reigning champions, triumphing in both the drivers' and constructors' standings last year.

Following the Barcelona shakedown event, the teams have now travelled to Bahrain where they will have two three-day tests - the first of which takes place this week from Wednesday to Friday.

All 11 teams only have the C1, C2 and C3 tyres available for the test outing before the C4 and C5 compounds become an option next week.

With the C3 being the softest tyre available for the upcoming week, McLaren has opted to bring just eight sets.

This differentiates greatly from its direct rivals, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari bringing 20, 18 and 20 sets of the C3 tyre respectively.

McLaren has gone heavy on the C2 tyre, bringing 14 sets of that compound to the Bahrain circuit.

It's a similar approach taken by Aston Martin, who also has a majority selection of the C2 tyre with it this week.

Grid newcomer Cadillac also only have eight sets of C3s, however it has spread the rest of its allocation evenly across the C1 and C2 options.

See the full tyre selection for the first Bahrain test below!