Piastri jokes it's been ages since he's watched two F1 races on TV

Oscar Piastri’s 2026 debut has been anything but smooth. After crashing on the reconnaissance lap in Melbourne, the Australian rookie was forced to sit out the Chinese Grand Prix when an electrical fault in his MCL40’s power unit struck just as the grid formed. His teammate Lando Norris suffered a different, but equally crippling, electrical issue, leaving both McLaren cars unable to start.

Why it matters:

• A double DNS on the opening two rounds wipes out any early points haul, putting McLaren on the back foot in a tightly contested championship.
• The failures highlight the growing complexity of the new 2026 power‑unit regulations, where a single software or wiring glitch can sideline an entire team.
• For a rookie tipped for a title challenge, missing two consecutive races hampers development and confidence.

The details:

• Melbourne: Piastri qualified P5, crashed on recon lap and could not start the race.
• Shanghai: Both McLaren cars cleared pre‑session checks, but power‑unit electrical faults appeared on the grid. Norris’ issue emerged during start‑up; Piastri’s fault was discovered after he joined the grid, prompting a garage return.
• Engine supply: Mercedes‑supplied units showed two distinct faults, suggesting broader reliability concerns across the new spec.
• Other retirements: Gabriel Bortoleto, Alex Albon and both Aston Martin cars also retired, adding to the attrition rate.

What’s next:

McLaren will work with Mercedes to diagnose the electrical glitches before the next round in Miami, while Piastri hopes to translate his qualifying speed into race points. Early‑season teething problems may shape the championship narrative as teams continue to adapt to the 2026 engine formula.