Oscar Piastri has admitted McLaren “need to improve” after a difficult Bahrain Grand Prix, with the Australian conceding that the team simply “weren’t quick enough” to challenge their rivals.

Piastri finished sixth at the Sepang International Circuit after a challenging afternoon that was complicated by the decision to start the race on medium tyres.

With heavy rain having delayed the start, the track remained too wet for slicks, forcing Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris to pit at the end of the opening lap for intermediate tyres.

The strategy left Piastri fighting back through the field, while a late Safety Car further disrupted his progress. He had been closing on Charles Leclerc before the interruption brought his charge to an end.

“It was a tricky afternoon,” Piastri reflected. “We didn’t quite make the right calls, and ultimately we weren’t quick enough, so that was the biggest thing.”

The Australian also acknowledged Red Bull’s recent surge in performance, highlighting Max Verstappen’s victory as evidence of the team’s improved competitiveness.

“Red Bull clearly here have been incredibly fast,” Piastri said. “I think it’s been the strongest they’ve been.”

While Piastri believes McLaren and Ferrari remain closely matched, he warned that neither team currently possesses the pace required to fight for victories.

“I think us and Ferrari seem a little bit in a similar ballpark, but that ballpark is not fighting for race wins,” he said.

With the championship battle continuing, Piastri insists McLaren must now find performance if they are to close the gap to Red Bull.