Oscar Piastri described his frustration after failing to start the Formula 1 Chinese GP due to a power unit problem with the McLaren. For the Australian, the situation was extremely disappointing.
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“After going to the grid, I think it was some electrical problem in the power unit, which also affected Lando (Norris), but it wasn’t the same type of electrical failure. So yes, it’s obviously disappointing,” Piastri stated.
Piastri also reflected on the challenging start of the 2026 season for McLaren, highlighting that difficulties like this can be expected with the introduction of new regulations: “It’s been a while since I’ve watched two races only on TV. The one in China was a bit different. Last week it was just one car. These things happen sometimes in motorsport, especially at the beginning of a new era of regulations. It’s not a total surprise, but it’s a shame it happened to both cars,” the Australian driver concluded.
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The Chinese GP unfolded very differently than expected for McLaren. Norris was unable to leave the garage to complete the formation lap to the starting grid, while Piastri managed to do so but was pulled off the track right after the formation lap, leaving the team with no cars in the race in Shanghai.
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