Trending Now - Mercedes Faces Battery Troubles Following Chinese GP Review

WHO:

Lando Norris, McLaren driver

Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver

Andrea Stella, McLaren team boss

Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP), battery supplier

WHAT:

Lando Norris lost one of his three allowed batteries for the 2026 F1 season.

Both McLaren drivers failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix due to battery issues.

Norris's battery was deemed unsalvageable and will require a new battery for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Piastri's battery had an internal component fixed, pending final assessment after Friday practice.

Drivers are allowed three batteries for the 2026 season due to a regulation overhaul.

WHERE:

Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China

Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan

WHEN:

The Chinese Grand Prix took place on March 12th, 2026.

The Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled for March 26th, 2026.

The investigation into the battery issues occurred between the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix weekends.

WHY:

The battery issues were caused by two different problems: a software issue for Norris and a hardware issue for Piastri.

Andrea Stella described the simultaneous failures as "quite exceptional."

HOW:

McLaren worked closely with Mercedes HPP to diagnose the battery issues.

Piastri's battery was repaired with permission from the FIA.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 17:26 UTC)

In a challenging turn of events for McLaren, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were unable to start the Chinese Grand Prix on March 12 due to battery issues, with Norris losing one of his three allowed batteries for the 2026 season. While Piastri's battery was repaired after a hardware issue, it remains under assessment, and Norris's battery was deemed unsalvageable, requiring a replacement before the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix on March 26. Team boss Andrea Stella described the simultaneous failures as "quite exceptional," as McLaren collaborated with Mercedes High Performance Powertrains to address the problems stemming from a software issue for Norris and a hardware issue for Piastri.