McLaren, Mercedes launch joint inquiry after disastrous double DNS in China GP
Shanghai: McLaren has initiated a formal inquiry alongside engine partner Mercedes to determine why both of its entries suffered catastrophic electrical failures prior to Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, as world champion Lando Norris warned that the team cannot afford a recurrence.
Norris remained in his cockpit in the garage as the window to join the grid expired, while teammate Oscar Piastri was pulled from his fifth-place starting spot just moments before the start. McLaren described the incidents as distinct electrical malfunctions within the Mercedes-supplied power units.
ALSO READ: Kimi Antonelli wins in China: 19-year-old becomes F1’s second-youngest race winner
The double retirement marked the first "did not start" of Norris’ eight-year career and a second consecutive missed race for Piastri, who crashed during his reconnaissance lap in Australia last week.
"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."
The team confirmed a "joint investigation" is underway with Mercedes’ High Performance Powertrains division.
McLaren has struggled to keep pace with the factory Mercedes team, which has swept every race and sprint under the 2026 regulations. The new rules place a heavier reliance on electrical systems, and McLaren officials have expressed concern regarding a perceived lack of data from Mercedes on how to optimise those components.
Attrition was high Sunday as four cars failed to make the start, including Alex Albon’s Mercedes-powered Williams, which suffered a hydraulic failure, and Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi.
ALSO READ: Verstappen retires: ERS failure ends Chinese GP hopes for Red Bull star on Lap 45
Reliability woes also plagued Aston Martin, which saw both cars retire. Lance Stroll was sidelined by a recurring battery failure in his Honda power unit, while Fernando Alonso was forced to stop due to "discomfort from vibrations."
The vibration issues at Aston Martin have become a point of contention. Team Principal Adrian Newey recently stated the car’s oscillations were so severe they risked causing "permanent nerve damage" to the drivers’ hands if left unaddressed.
With inputs from AP