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'My first non-start in F1' - Norris left heartbroken after painful Chinese GP DNS

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 News

14:31, 15 Mar

1 Comments

byTobia Elia

Lando Norris expressed his deep disappointment after being unable to even take the start of the Chinese Grand Prix.

"A shame, my first non-start in F1, which is sad, and even worse that it's a double do-not-start with us as well. Not the best day for us"

McLaren endured a very difficult day at the office in Shanghai, with both cars suffering technical issues before the start that prevented Oscar Piastri and the reigning world champion from taking part in the race.

Asked when the team first became aware of the issue on his MCL40, the Briton told GPblog and other media: "I don't know how long it's been going on for, honestly. Sometimes it's better to leave them to crack on with things, but I found out probably 20 minutes before I was meant to go out of the garage.

"I think they've been working on things for a little while already. Some electrical issue with the power unit, and therefore we can't even start it. A shame, my first non-start in F1, which is sad, and even worse that it's a double do-not-start with us as well. Not the best day for us."

Photo: Race Pictures

Asked to put his disappointment into words, Norris added: "I'm just disappointed, that's all. I'm disappointed I didn't get to go and do my job today. I'm frustrated for the whole team, it's not just me. All of the mechanics, everyone puts a lot of work into things, and it's just a complicated bit of it.

"There's a lot of new things and, of course, new issues that we're still finding out at times. So for everyone in the garage they're disappointed we couldn't get the car out on track today, and they'll work hard to try and fix it."

McLaren reveals 'exceptional' reason behind double DNS at Chinese Grand Prix

Andrea Stella later clarified the reason behind the team’s double DNS at the Chinese Grand Prix, explaining that both retirements were ultimately linked to electrical issues on the power unit.

According to Stella, the problem on Norris’s car emerged while the team was preparing for the installation laps to the grid, when engineers realised they were unable to communicate with one of the electrical components of the power unit. As a result, the car could not even be started, forcing Norris out before the race had begun.

Piastri’s situation unfolded slightly differently. His car was able to reach the grid without any apparent issues, but once there the engine refused to fire up again. While the fault was connected to the same electrical area of the power unit, Stella explained that the underlying issue was of a different nature compared to the one experienced on Norris’s car, though it proved just as terminal for McLaren’s race.