McLaren's Stella Confident in Drivers' Resilience After China Double DNS

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed confidence in his drivers' ability to bounce back after a devastating double DNS (Did Not Start) at the Chinese Grand Prix, where electrical power unit issues sidelined both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri before the race began. The team's primary concern is the significant points loss in their championship defense, but Stella highlighted the positive 'winner's mindset' within the team to overcome the setback.

Why it matters:

A double DNS is a massive operational and competitive blow for any team, but for the reigning double world champions, it represents a critical loss of points in a tight title fight. How a team and its drivers process such a dramatic failure—especially for Piastri, who has now failed to start two consecutive races—can define their season's resilience and ultimate success.

The details:

• Both McLarens were struck by unrelated electrical issues within their Mercedes power units just before the race start. Norris's car failed in the garage during preparations, while Piastri's issue was detected on the grid minutes before the formation lap.
• The DNS marked a first in Lando Norris's Formula 1 career. For Oscar Piastri, it was his second in two races, following his crash on the reconnaissance lap in Australia.
• Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the team's internal culture, calling it a "winner's mindset." He pointed to last season's victories in Qatar and Vegas as examples of overcoming adversity, stating that true championship qualities are forged in difficult moments.
• Championship Impact: Stella identified the points loss as the most detrimental outcome. Norris now sits sixth in the drivers' standings, 36 points behind leader George Russell, while Piastri has only three points. The team trails Mercedes by 70 points in the constructors' championship.

What's next:

The immediate focus for McLaren is understanding and resolving the power unit electrical gremlins to ensure reliability for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. While the missed data from race laps is a setback, Stella noted the team has learned rapidly from the early 2026-season races and sprint events. The true test will be whether the team can convert its resilient mindset into consistent point-scoring finishes to recover lost ground in both championship battles.