During the buildup to the Japanese Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen was lamenting a lack of confidence in the RB21 McLaren seemed to have the dominant package, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took turns topping the timing sheets.

Max Verstappen looks to be the odd one out in terms of tyre availability for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Dutchman will be at a disadvantage in terms of pure speed against both McLaren drivers this Sunday as he struggles behind the wheel of the RB21.

After what was arguably one of Max Verstappen’s finest drives in Japan, the situation in Bahrain looked dramatically different.