McLaren's championship hopes suffered a double blow in China, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failing to start both races due to separate electrical issues, leaving the team with just a single point from the season opener in Australia. This double DNS leaves McLaren trailing early pacesetters Mercedes and Ferrari in the standings, 80 points behind Mercedes after the Silver Arrows' dominant one-two finish. Team Principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the drivers are in a 'tough moment', stating Norris' fifth-place finish in Australia is their only result so far, and Piastri's absence from the start in his home race is particularly difficult to process.

However, Stella expressed confidence in their winner's mindset, citing their ability to withstand difficulties in previous seasons, like the 2023 championship battle where they overcame strategy errors in Qatar and disqualification in Las Vegas to become champions. He emphasized this current challenge is part of the same journey to becoming champions.