For the first time since his debut in Formula 1, Lando Norris did not start a Grand Prix. The Briton did not hide his frustration after a nightmare weekend for McLaren in Shanghai.
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The Chinese Grand Prix will remain a particularly difficult moment for Lando Norris. The British driver was forced to withdraw even before the lights went out, an unprecedented situation in his Formula 1 career.
As he was preparing to join the grid at the Shanghai circuit, an electrical problem appeared on his McLaren car. The team immediately tried to resolve the failure in the garage, leaving hope for a start from the pit lane.
Despite the efforts of the mechanics, the car could never be repaired in time to participate in the race.
A double retirement for McLaren
The disappointment was even greater for the British team when Oscar Piastri was also forced to withdraw before the start.
The Australian was initially set to start from fifth place on the grid. But a separate problem on his car forced the team to bring the car back to the garage, thus sealing a particularly rare double withdrawal for McLaren.
This situation recalls a historical precedent for the team. You have to go back to the 2005 United States Grand Prix to find a case where no McLaren had started a race, during the famous Michelin tire fiasco at Indianapolis.
For Piastri, the situation is even more frustrating as he has still not completed a single racing lap this season after his accident during a reconnaissance lap in Australia.
Norris reveals when the problem appeared
After the incident, Norris explained that the technical issue had appeared shortly before the start of the race.
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“I learned about the problem about twenty minutes before leaving the garage. The team had already been working on it for a while, it was an electrical issue related to the power unit, and I couldn’t even start the car.”
The Briton did not hide his disappointment at this situation totally independent of his performance.
“It’s a shame. It’s my first non-start in Formula 1, and it’s inevitably sad. And it’s even worse because Oscar couldn’t start either.”
Frustration shared with the whole team
Beyond his own race, Norris particularly emphasized the collective disappointment felt in the McLaren garage.
“I’m just disappointed. Disappointed not to have been able to do my job today. I’m frustrated for the whole team. I love the mechanics. Everyone works incredibly hard, but Formula 1 is extremely complex. There are many new things on the car and sometimes new problems appear.”
Despite the team’s desperate attempts to repair the car, Norris had to stay in his cockpit during the first moments of the race in case an opportunity arose.
“We stayed ready during the first laps, in case there was a red flag or a miracle. But it simply didn’t happen today.”
A frustrating day for McLaren, which hopes to quickly move on after this particularly cruel weekend in Shanghai.
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