Sad Lando Norris reveals bitter disappointment at F1 career first

Lando Norris was left to express his bitter frustration and disappointment in failing to start a grand prix for the first time in his F1 career.

Norris encountered electrical issues with his McLaren in the build-up to the race at the Shanghai International Circuit. As he sat in his car in the garage, there was hope he could make a pit-lane start, but despite the efforts of his team, it was to no avail.

Worse followed when team-mate Oscar Piastri also failed to make the start, meaning the Australian has yet to complete a racing lap in a grand prix this season after crashing on a reconnaissance lap to the grid at his home race last weekend.

It is the first time since the 2005 United States Grand Prix that neither McLaren has started a race. On that occasion, that was over the Michelin tyre disaster at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"I found out [about the problem] probably 20 minutes before I was going to go out of the garage," said Norris, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365.  "They were working on things for a little while, some electrical issue with the power unit, and therefore, I couldn't even start.

"It's a shame, my first non-start in F1, which is sad, and even worse, that is a double DNS with Oscar as well. So yeah, not the best day for us."

Expressing his emotions, Norris added, "I'm just disappointed. That's all. I am disappointed I didn't get to go and do my job today.

"I'm frustrated for the whole team. It's not just me. I love the mechanics. Everyone puts a lot of work into things, and it's just such a complicated bit of kit. There are a lot of new things.

"Of course, there are some issues, new issues that we're still finding out at times. For everyone in the garage, they're disappointed that we couldn't get the car out on track today, and they'll work hard to try and fix it."

Asked by RacingNews365 about the fact he got into his car at one stage, and whether the issue was fixed but then reoccurred, Norris said: "No. They were trying to [fix it].

"You never knew. We even stayed in [the car] for the first couple of laps just in case there was a red [flag] or something, and luck turned our way, but it didn't.

"It was just that we'd rather be ready to go, and in case something magically appeared and started working. But not today."