McLaren suffered a double blow even before the start of the Formula 1 Chinese GP. This Sunday (15), Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had problems and were unable to start the second round of the 2026 season.
Read more F1: Four drivers did not start the Chinese GP
For the race in Shanghai, the papaya duo was set to start from the front of the pack, with the Briton lining up in fourth position and the Australian in sixth – therefore, second and third rows.
However, they wouldn’t even have the opportunity to try and challenge Mercedes and Ferrari. First, it was Norris’s car that presented problems and even after the pitlane had closed, the British team was racing against time to try and resolve the issue.
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Then, while Lando was still in the pits, it was Piastri’s car’s turn to be removed from the grid and taken to the pit area also with problems, with six minutes to the formation lap and start.
So, it didn’t take long for confirmation to come that the McLaren duo would not participate in the Formula 1 Chinese GP – joining Gabriel Bortoleto and Alexander Albon, who also would not compete in the race.
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