Oscar Piastri delivers 'optimistic' McLaren verdict despite pecking order setback

Oscar Piastri has insisted he is feeling more “optimistic” over McLaren's car after testing in Bahrain.

The Australian put the MCL40 through its paces in Bahrain over the last two weeks alongside team-mate Lando Norris, building on the information gathered at the Barcelona shakedown.

Piastri enjoyed a productive pre-season period as he got up to speed with his new challenger, built under a fresh set of technical regulations.

Although some difficulties arose during the test, Piastri insisted such developments at this stage can be considered normal.

“We're probably getting a little bit more optimistic,” Piastri told media including RacingNews365. “The testing has gone smoothly for us. 

“We've been able to get a lot of laps in, learn a lot of things, both good and bad. We've got some good ideas and good directions.

“Especially with such a big change in the rules, you're going to find a lot of bad things alongside the good things. 

“Finding out all of anything you can before round one is always important.”

McLaren enter the year hoping to defend its double championship success from last season but is wary of the threat posed by the rules reset.

Piastri has expressed confidence that it will not be at the helm of the pecking order when the campaign gets underway.

“I feel like we're making good progress,” he said.

“I wouldn't say we're leading the pack by any stretch of the imagination - but I feel like we're not too bad.”