McLaren dominates Bahrain Grand Prix practice ahead of Saturday qualifying
Mercedes driver Russell says he believes McLaren were "a big step ahead".
Once again, the McLaren showed dominance on the race track as they took apart the rest of the field during Practice ahead of the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix to take place Sunday.
As such, driver's Championships leader Lando Norris was forced to play down McLaren's advantage after team-mate Oscar Piastri led him to a one-two finish in Friday's practice.
Piastri was 0.154 seconds quicker than Norris, while Mercedes' George Russell was 0.527 secs behind the Australian in third place, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
"We've had a good run, yes. However, I'm afraid that everyone just looks at the timesheets," Norris said.
"They have no idea on the information on who turns up (the engine)."
"It's (worth) like 0.35 seconds (sic) around here. That immediately puts us back in the same position as the Mercedes, so at the minute, I wouldn't say we're any quicker," he said in the aftermath of Friday's practice.
Mercedes driver Russell says he believes McLaren were "a big step ahead".
"They are a long way ahead in the middle sector, where the tyres are overheating," Russell said.
Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli was fifth fastest, from Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar, Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen, winner in Japan last weekend, was down in seventh, 0.825 seconds off the pace, while Lewis Hamilton was one place further back in his Ferrari, 0.246 seconds behind the Dutchman.
Briton Oliver Bearman was ninth fastest in the Haas ahead of Williams' Carlos Sainz.
Qualifying will take place from 7 pm local time onwards Saturday as the fourth race of the season takes centre stage.
Top 10 practice times Bahrain Grand Prix
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:30.505
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.154
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.527
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.540
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.722
6. Isack Hadjack (Racing Bulls) +0.733
7. Max Versstappen (Red Bull) +0.825
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +1.071
9. Ollie Bearman (Haas) +1.079
10. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +1.118
11. Alex Albon (Williams)
12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
13. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
14. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
15. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
17. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
18. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
20. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber