Oscar Piastri addresses shock double McLaren start failure

Oscar Piastri has addressed McLaren's shock issues ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, describing them as "not a huge surprise" due to the freshness of the new regulations.

Lando Norris never left the McLaren garage following a suspected electrical issue with the Mercedes power unit, before Piastri was wheeled off the grid ahead of the warm-up lap.

Piastri also suffered an electrical issue related to the power unit, although the Australian confirmed it was a different problem to the one affecting Norris' car.

For the 24-year-old, everything had been fine on his sighting lap after leaving the McLaren garage, with the issue only discovered once he was on the grid.

Asked if he had experienced an issue on his initial run to the grid, Piastri told select media, including RacingNews365: "No, it was all fine on the way to the grid.

"I think it was an electrical issue on the power unit, which I think was the same for Lando, but it's not the same electrical issue. So, yeah, that is obviously disappointing, but it is what it is."

Piastri is yet to start a race in 2026 after crashing on his way to the grid in the Australian GP, marking a miserable start to the new power unit regulations.

He acknowledged that failing to start his home race was difficult to accept, but also recognised that problems can occur given the introduction of the new rules.

"It's been a while since I've watched two grands prix on TV," joked Piastri. "Obviously, this one is a bit different. Last week was pretty rough to take.

"This one, unfortunately, these kinds of things happen in racing at times, especially at the beginning of new regulations.

"It's probably not a huge surprise. So, yeah, just a shame that it's happened to both cars at the same time."