Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri did not take to the start line at the Chinese Grand Prix in an early-season disaster for McLaren.
Norris’s car, which was meant to start in sixth, missed the usual pre-race reconnaissance laps, as the reigning world champions looked to fix an electrical issue and start from the pit-lane.
Yet there was further shock when Oscar Piastri’s car – fifth on the grid – was wheeled into the garage just five minutes before lights out, with the Australian’s car encountering a different electrical issue.
Neither problem was fixed in time and the papaya-clad team did not take part in round two of the 2026 season. After his pre-race crash last week, it means Piastri has not taken part in a grand prix so far this season.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Williams’ Alex Albon also failed to take to the start line, with the race starting with only 18 cars.
It’s the first time McLaren have had a double DNS (did not start) since the US Grand Prix in 2005, when only a handful of cars took to the start line.
More to follow…
