F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri’s season start goes from bad to worse with both McLarens out of Chinese GP
This time last year, Oscar Piastri was standing on top of the podium in Shanghai, after winning the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
After crashing out of his home grand prix during the reconnaissance lap last week, Piastri was looking to recreate that magic and kickstart his 2026 campaign.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are out of the race in Shanghai.Credit: AP
Unfortunately, the Australian will have to wait.
Both McLaren’s were ruled out of the Chinese Grand Prix before the race even started, with Mclaren identifying electrical issues with the cars.
“Unfortunately, we identified separate issues on both cars which prevented them from starting the Chinese GP, with Oscar’s being removed from the grid shortly before the formation lap,” the team said on social media.
“We will now work to identify each issue.”
After the race, cameras captured Piastri walking out of the garages, with his head down. The Australian changed out of his racing suit and was back in his team shirt and looks fairly melancholy.
F1 commentators david Croft said he was gutted for Piastri.
“This is not the campaign start he would have wanted..… especially after Melbourne,” he said.
Piastri crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix before the race even started. He lost the car under acceleration at turns four and five, smashing the left-hand side of the McLaren car into the outside wall, with debris strewn across the track.
The 24-year-old Australian emerged unscathed but was unable to continue, with his McLaren’s front right wheel hanging off and substantial bodywork damage.
After narrowly losing the 2025 championship to his teammate Lando Norris, this is an unideal start for Piastri.
With the Mercedes extraordinary pace, his 2026 championship camp gain looks murky.