- Bahrain Grand Prix - FP2
Fourth to tenth very tight - Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen admits it is impossible to predict how McLaren will fare in qualifying in Bahrain after seeing the gap between a lot of teams come down in FP2.
The evening session is the best indication of how the teams may fare in qualifying and in the race as the conditions are the same, and Magnussen managed to finish ninth. Magnussen echoes the opinion of others that Mercedes is in a race of its own this weekend but admits the gaps in the race behind Mercedes have come right down.
"It could be tenth, it could be fourth if we are lucky, so let's make the best of it," Magnussen said when asked where he could qualify. "I don't think we can fight for front row, Mercedes are too quick, it's a different league at the moment. But behind it's very close. If a few people get it wrong and we get it right then it might look alright. We need to fight for as many points as we can. It seems like it's a bit more packed together now."
Magnussen admits McLaren still has problems but believes the cooler evening race could play into the team's hands.
"We are lacking downforce and we have some opportunity here with the colder temperatures. There were no issues [with the front]. It's behaving well. It feels like a good racing car and if you didn't know the lap times of the other cars you would think you were good. There's only one way forward and we know what that is so we need to keep pushing. The field was very quick and there's some good opportunity for points."
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