The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit delivered one of the most chaotic pre-race sequences in recent Formula 1 history, with four drivers failing to start the race and multiple high-profile retirements in the opening 46 laps. Alexander Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri all recorded DNS results, while Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen retired from the race, making the 2026 Chinese GP one of the most dramatic grands prix of the modern era.
Four Drivers Fail to Start the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
In an extraordinary sequence of pre-race events, four drivers were unable to take the start of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, marking one of the highest DNS counts in Formula 1 in recent memory.
Alexander Albon (Williams) — DNS
Williams driver Alexander Albon was unable to take part in the 2026 Chinese GP after his car suffered technical issues in the pitlane. The team had planned to send Albon from a pitlane start but the problems proved too severe to resolve before the race began, resulting in a did-not-start for the Thai-British driver.
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Audi) — DNS
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto’s Shanghai debut ended before it could begin. Although his car was initially positioned on the starting grid, hydraulic issues forced the team to push the car back to the pitlane. Despite attempts to fix the problem, Bortoleto did not start the race, adding to a difficult run of form for the Sauber/Audi project.
Lando Norris (McLaren) — DNS
In a massive blow to McLaren’s 2026 championship campaign, Lando Norris failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix from his P6 grid position. The team attempted to switch to a pitlane start after discovering issues with the car, but ultimately the MCL40 could not be made race-ready in time. Norris recorded a DNS, losing crucial championship points.
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — DNS
Making the situation even more catastrophic for McLaren, Oscar Piastri also failed to start the 2026 Chinese GP. His car was on the starting grid when multiple issues were discovered, forcing the team to push it back to the pitlane. With both McLaren cars unable to start, the Woking-based team suffered a nightmare zero-points result before the race even got underway.
Early Safety Car as Stroll Retires on Lap 10
Lance Stroll brought out the Safety Car on lap 10 of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix after being forced to park his Aston Martin AMR26 on the side of the circuit. The Safety Car period lasted three laps, with racing resuming at the end of lap 13. Stroll’s early retirement compounded what was already a difficult day for the Aston Martin team.
Double Aston Martin DNF: Alonso Retires on Lap 33
Aston Martin’s misery was compounded when two-time world champion Fernando Alonso retired from the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix on lap 33, leaving the team without any points from Shanghai. With both Stroll and Alonso out of the race, the Silverstone-based outfit endured one of their worst results of the season, raising serious questions about the reliability of the AMR26.
Verstappen Suffers Power Unit Failure After Heroic Recovery Drive
Perhaps the most dramatic retirement of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix came from reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman’s race was compromised from the very first moment when his Red Bull suffered a lack of power off the line at the start, forcing him to give way to almost the entire field as he dropped towards the back of the grid.
Despite the nightmare start, Verstappen mounted an impressive recovery drive, working his way back through the field to reach sixth position before his race came to a premature end on lap 46. The sound of his power unit and the presence of throttle response without any meaningful drive pointed strongly toward a hybrid system failure, most likely an MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit, Kinetic) fault, or potentially an MGU-H turbocharger issue. With the internal combustion engine running but delivering no usable power, Verstappen had no option but to retire.
The retirement is a significant blow in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings, especially given that primary rival Norris also failed to score. However, with both drivers out of the points, the overall championship picture remains volatile heading into the next round.
2026 Chinese Grand Prix: Full Retirements and DNS Summary
- Alexander Albon (Williams): DNS, car issues in pitlane
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Audi): DNS, hydraulic failure
- Lando Norris (McLaren): DNS, car issues from P6 grid
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): DNS, multiple car issues
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): Retired lap 10, Safety Car laps 10 to 13
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): Retired lap 33
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): Retired lap 46, power unit/hybrid failure from P6
