Oscar Piastri yet to start in 2026 after McLaren's latest technical issue

Oscar Piastri has yet to complete a single lap in the 2026 Formula 1 season after he was pulled off the grid minutes before the race at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Piastri was set to start from fifth on the grid in the second race of the season but he was wheeled back to the McLaren garage due to an electrical issue with his car.

"We identified an issue on Oscar's car, which means we were unable to start the car from the grid," a statement by McLaren read.

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"We have now returned the car to the garage to further investigate the issue there."

The issue was discovered shortly after McLaren confirmed that Lando Norris would likely start the race from the pit lane due to a "late glitch".

Norris, who qualified sixth, did not manage to get his car to the grid like Piastri did as team mechanics worked to fix an electrical issue in his car.

But as the rest of the grid lined up to begin the formation lap, the McLarens were absent. It was then revealed the two drivers were out of their cars.

"It was an electrical problem on the power unit. Different to Lando's," Piastri told reporters after his late withdrawal.

"It is very unfortunate for us to both have issues. We don't know anymore than that at this point. It is very disappointing."

The issues were not identified, nor did they cause any issues, during qualifying.

The Chinese Grand Prix is the first time McLaren has not had a car on the grid since 1982 in San Marino. The team's absence at that race was due to a political war involving the Formula 1 and the FISA. Only seven teams took part in the race.

Piastri admitted all the team can do now is watch and learn from their rivals success.

"We have to try and learn what we can by watching the race," he said.

"Then after that it is just trying to do as much work as we can before Japan.

"The problems today have been annoying, but I think besides that we know we've got work to do to find more performance, so that's what we'll try and focus on."

On route to speak to media, Piastri had a look of disappoint and disbelief.

"I'm absolutely gutted for Oscar Piastri, this is not the start of the season he envisaged," David Croft said on Sky.

It comes just a week after he failed to take to the track at his home race in Australia.

The McLaren duo were not alone in not taking to the grid in China, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Williams driver Alex Albon also ruled out.

By the end of the race, Lance Stroll, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso also retired.

Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli claimed his first-ever race win in dominant fashion, holding off teammate George Russell until the end. Lewis Hamilton finished in third ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, in what is his first podium finish for the team.