F1 2026: McLaren to probe electrical faults with Mercedes after both cars fail to start in Chinese GP

McLaren has launched an investigation with engine supplier Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to determine why both of its cars suffered terminal electrical faults that ruled them out of the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, as Lando Norris said the team must ensure there is no repeat.

Norris was left waiting in his car in McLaren’s garage before time ran out for him to join the grid, and teammate Oscar Piastri had to be withdrawn from the grid minutes before the start with what McLaren termed separate electrical problems with its Mercedes-supplied power unit.

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It was the first time in Norris’ eight-season Formula One career that he has missed a race and Piastri’s second missed race in a row after crashing on his way to the grid at his home race in Australia.

“We just have to take it on the chin, learn what the problem was, and make sure it never happens again,” Norris said. “Everyone in the team is frustrated, our engineers, mechanics and HPP (Mercedes High Performance Powertrains) teammates. All of us want to go racing and score points.”

McLaren said a “joint investigation” with Mercedes’ HPP engine operation would be launched.

McLaren has so far failed to match the pace of the works Mercedes team, whose drivers have won both Grand Prix races and the sole sprint race under the new 2026 regulations, which place greater emphasis on electrical power. McLaren has previously said it is concerned with what it considers a lack of information on how to get the best out of the Mercedes systems.

Four cars in total failed to start on Sunday, including Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi Formula One Team and the Mercedes-powered Williams Racing of Alex Albon, which had a hydraulic system failure.

There are also concerns at Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team after a double retirement for the reliability-plagued team. Lance Stroll’s race ended early with a battery failure, a repeat issue with its Honda power unit. Aston Martin said “discomfort from vibrations” forced Fernando Alonso to stop.

Published on Mar 15, 2026