McLaren Launches Investigation Into Mercedes After Double Failure At Chinese GP

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 17:25 IST

McLaren has opened an investigation into Mercedes AMG HPP over mechanical failures that forced Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri out of the Chinese GP.

McLaren has promised a collaborative investigation alongside engine supplier Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) into their disastrous mechanical failures at Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix that forced World Champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri out of the race before it even started.

Norris was stuck in the pit lane as his team ran out of time to put the car on the grid. Piastri’s car did make it out at the Shanghai International Circuit, but had to be pulled back in after what McLaren termed a separate problem. It was the first time in Norris’ career that he had a DNS (did not start) beside his name, and only the second for Piastri after a crash in the Australian GP last week, to compound their horrible start to the season.

“We’ll investigate together alongside our partners at HPP to understand what happened," team principal Andrea Stella said afterwards.

Stella explained that while preparing Lando Norris’ car to exit the garage, the team discovered an electrical issue with the power unit. They attempted to resolve it, but ultimately, there was no solution available.

For Piastri, Stella said another electrical problem was then detected on the power unit. Although the issues were different, both prevented the cars from starting the race.

“We came here to go racing and today we were not in condition to do so because of technical problems," Stella told Sky F1. “This is very frustrating and disappointing for the team, for the drivers, for our technical and commercial partners, and obviously for our fans. So we are sorry for that. We will regroup. We will understand these technical problems and we will go again in Japan."

The HPP supplies engines to four teams: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, McLaren, Williams and Alpine. Mercedes got another 1-2 finish with Kimi Antonelli winning his first ever Grand Prix, followed by teammate George Russell. Williams’ Alex Albon also suffered engine issues while Carlos Sainz finished eighth. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto’s Alpines finished sixth and tenth, respectively.

News sports formula-one McLaren Launches Investigation Into Mercedes After Double Failure At Chinese GP

Read More