Formula 1 had a moment of attention in the McLaren pits before the start of the 2026 Chinese GP. The team identified a problem in the electronics of Lando Norris’s car, who starts from sixth position on the starting grid in Shanghai.
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The situation caused a small interruption in the current champion’s preparation for the race. The team’s mechanics worked on the MCL40 and even removed the car’s floor to check different components before the race.
According to the information released, McLaren detected the fault even before the start and immediately began the necessary checks. The team’s work included inspecting various parts of Norris’s car to locate the exact source of the problem.
McLaren itself confirmed that the fault was related to the car’s electronic system. “We identified a problem in the electronics, so we removed the floor and checked several components,” the team told GPblog.
Despite the setback, the British team showed confidence that the situation was resolved in time. Also according to the team, the adjustments made to the car should avoid further impacts on Norris’s participation in the Chinese GP.
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“We believe we have fixed the problem and the team is now in final preparations for the race,” McLaren added. The statement indicates that the problem should not represent a significant obstacle for the driver at the time of the start.
Even so, the movement in the pits drew attention shortly before the race. While other drivers were already leaving the garage for reconnaissance laps, Norris still remained in the cockpit of his MCL40, with the team finalizing the last procedures.
The Briton starts from sixth position on the grid in an important race for McLaren at this start of the Formula 1 season. Any technical setback on the eve of the start, even if apparently controlled, naturally increases concern within the team.
With the problem apparently resolved, expectations turn to the car’s behavior throughout the race. Now, it remains to be seen whether McLaren will be able to transform the work done in the pits into a race without major scares for Norris in Shanghai.
