Norris backs McLaren recovery after China double DNS disaster

Lando Norris has expressed confidence in McLaren's ability to bounce back from a disastrous start to the 2026 season, which hit a new low with both cars failing to start the Chinese Grand Prix due to separate power unit electrical issues. The reigning World Champion team, which dominated the previous season, now finds itself lagging behind Mercedes and Ferrari, grappling with energy management problems on the all-new power units.

Why it matters:

A double DNS is a catastrophic result for any team, but for the defending Constructors' champions, it's a stark indicator of how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1's new regulatory era. With Mercedes establishing an early 80-point lead, McLaren's ability to diagnose its power unit reliability and performance issues will be critical to salvaging its title defense and preventing the season from slipping away entirely.

The details:

• The Chinese GP weekend was a disaster for McLaren, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri unable to start the race. Norris's car had a pre-race issue, while a problem was discovered on Piastri's power unit just before the formation lap.
• Team principal Andrea Stella has admitted the team is "on the back foot" with its Mercedes power unit usage compared to the works team, struggling with energy management.
• This leaves McLaren already 80 points behind a dominant Mercedes team, which secured another 1-2 finish with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in Shanghai.

Looking ahead:

Despite the severe setback, Norris remains optimistic, pointing to the team's proven ability to play catch-up, as seen in previous seasons.

• He highlighted the upcoming gap in the calendar between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix as a crucial development period to understand the MCL40's issues and bring new parts to the car earlier.
• Norris stated his belief that the team can fight for podiums and potentially wins later in the season, emphasizing his faith in the team's engineering and recovery capabilities.