Bortoleto and Albon also out
As many as four drivers did not even start the Chinese GP, namely Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Alexander Albon and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Read more Norris: “Problem never encountered before, that’s why we didn’t know how to solve it”
Lando Norris is still in the garage and the pit lane is now closed 😳#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/EVzR3MWK9M
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2026
At McLaren, electronic problems had been found on Lando Norris’s car about an hour before the start, but replacing the control unit was not enough to allow the reigning world champion to line up on the grid.
Read more Rossi: “Impossible to beat Marquez with an inferior bike”
Oscar Piastri’s car has been pushed into the McLaren garage just before the Formation Lap! 😮#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/pFmixhjnLH
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2026
On Oscar Piastri’s car, however, which was on the grid, a problem of a different nature was found. Albon and Bortoleto were also out, with the latter being taken away from the grid just as had happened to Hulkenberg’s R26 in Australia.
Read more Official, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs will not be held in April
