03/15/26 11:19:00
Printable Page
03/15 06:28 CDT McLaren launches investigation after Norris and Piastri unable
to start F1's Chinese Grand Prix
McLaren launches investigation after Norris and Piastri unable to start F1's
Chinese Grand Prix
By JAMES ELLINGWORTH
AP Sports Writer
McLaren has launched an investigation with engine supplier Mercedes to
investigate why both of its cars suffered terminal electrical faults that ruled
them out of the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, as Formula 1 champion Lando
Norris said the team must rule out a repeat.
Norris was stuck 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him to join the grid, and teammate Oscar Piastri had to be withdrawn from the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. Piastri was due to start fifth
and Norris sixth.
It was the first time in Norris' eight-season F1 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 put more emphasis on electrical power. McLaren has
previously said it's 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 Sunday, including Gabriel Bortoleto's Audi
and the Mercedes-powered Williams of Alex Albon, which had a hydraulic-system
failure.
There are also concerns at Aston Martin 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.
Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey this month said his car was shaking so
much it risked "permanent nerve damage" in its drivers' hands without major
improvements.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
|
