McLaren Double DNS in China Due to Power Unit Issues

McLaren's defense of its Formula 1 titles suffered a major setback at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 19, 2026, when both cars driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the main race due to separate electrical issues with their Mercedes power units. The double did-not-start marked a low point for the reigning constructors and drivers champions, leaving them sidelined as Mercedes secured another victory with Kimi Antonelli finishing first ahead of teammate George Russell.

The failures occurred amid preparations for the Shanghai race. Norris's car was identified with a hybrid system problem in the battery component during pre-race checks, preventing it from leaving the garage. Piastri reached the grid in fifth position but was withdrawn moments before the formation lap when his power unit would not fire up, also linked to an electrical fault. Team principal Andrea Stella described the incidents as "exceptional and uncharacteristic," noting that the team reprogrammed Norris's electronic control unit in an attempt to resolve the issue, but time ran out. For Piastri, the problem was diagnosed more quickly but still proved terminal under the race schedule.