# Slick Tyre Gamble Hurts McLaren and Ferrari

> McLaren and Ferrari's Bahrain F1 gamble with slick tyres backfired as the track stayed wet.
- Title: Slick Tyre Gamble Hurts McLaren and Ferrari · Motorsport
- Summary: McLaren and Ferrari's Bahrain F1 gamble with slick tyres backfired as the track stayed wet. McLaren and Ferrari lost Bahrain GP chances after starting with…
- Keywords: bahrain gp, ferrari, mclaren, slick tyres, intermediate tyres, formula one, sepang circuit, sports, cars, Slick, Tyre, Gamble
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/the-slick-tyre-gamble-that-hurt-mclaren-and-ferraris-bahrain-f1-chances/10861966
- Author: Jake Boxall-Legge
- Published: 2026-10-04T13:07:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bahrain gp, ferrari, mclaren, f1, slick tyres, intermediate tyres, formula one, sepang circuit, sports, cars
## Bahrain GP Delayed Start
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia faced an hour and 33 minutes of delays before starting.
## Slick Tyre Strategy
McLaren and Ferrari chose dry slick tyres for the restart, with Ferrari using soft compounds and McLaren mediums.
## Track Conditions
The Sepang circuit remained too slippery for slick tyres despite initial drying signs.
## McLaren's Pivot
McLaren switched to intermediates early to help Oscar Piastri, while Lando Norris stayed on slicks.
## Ferrari's Strategy
Ferrari stuck with slicks despite the track remaining wet, leading to slower lap times.
## Lando Norris' View
Norris said the intermediate tyres felt shredded after one lap on Sepang's rough surface.

> The laps to the grid on the inter when it was a similar kind of condition, they had so much grip and my Inter was completely shredded after one lap.
## Charles Leclerc's Analysis
Leclerc noted the rough tarmac caused water pooling, slowing the track's drying process.
## Lewis Hamilton's Experience
Hamilton stayed on soft tyres longer, then used a late safety car to pass Isack Hadjar for third.

> As we pulled out [of the pits], all the spray came out the back of Max’s car and I was like, 'okay, I’m done. My race is really in trouble,'
## Team Reflections
Hamilton praised his team's strategy but acknowledged the need for improvement after the race.

> We’ll definitely have an open dialogue, and I’m really so proud of my team.
## Race Outcome
By lap eight, slick times matched intermediates, with Valtteri Bottas' off causing a switch.
## Key takeaway

McLaren and Ferrari lost Bahrain GP chances after starting with slick tyres on a wet track.