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Mike Krack suggests McLaren’s double DNS shows Aston Martin are not alone in power unit issues

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Aston Martin’s issues with Honda have been widely reported and discussed in the Formula 1 world, but are McLaren experiencing the same issues?

McLaren had a weekend to forget in Shanghai, as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced separate power unit issues that ruled them out of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Zak Brown was clearly frustrated with McLaren’s issues, as the defending constructors’ champions failed to start a race with both drivers for the second time this season.

Disaster for Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon and Gabriel Bortoleto as they fail to start the Chinese Grand Prix!

Photos by Kym Illman/Jayce Illman/Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images

On the other hand, Aston Martin’s persistent problems were on full display, as footage of Fernando Alonso’s vibration issues went viral in the aftermath of the race.

However, despite these issues, Aston Martin’s Mike Krack has claimed that they are far from the only team experiencing major issues to start the season.

READ MORE: Ted Kravitz explains why Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri not starting the Chinese GP was so ‘strange’

Andrea Stella, Team Principal of McLaren James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams and Mike Krack, Chief Trackside Officer of the Aston Martin F1 Team talk after the tribute to the late Eddie Jordan prior to the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.
Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Mike Krack points to Chinese GP start as proof that Aston Martin not the only team with major issues

Mike Krack spoke after the Chinese Grand Prix about the issues Aston Martin faced during the race. When it came to Fernando Alonso’s car, the vibrations severely impacted their car’s reliability.

Krack went one step further and claimed that four drivers not starting the Chinese Grand Prix is a sign that Aston Martin are far from the only team in the paddock that are struggling to fix their issues.

“Vibrations fundamentally affect reliability. We have to lift in several areas, but we are not talking about seconds of loss. In some adjustments, we are more conservative, but we don’t miss many benefits”.

“I have a lot of respect for rivals; they all work hard, and we all have the same problems. I don’t want anyone to take cars off the grid. Without knowing the specific problem, it shows that this can also happen to a team like McLaren”.

While there is some truth to what Krack said, it’s hard to see the justification beyond a difficult situation for four drivers on one day, while Aston Martin’s issues have been evident for months now.

READ MORE: Adrian Newey accused of exaggerating Aston Martin issues to get ‘preferential treatment’ from FIA

When do you think Aston Martin will complete their first Grand Prix this season?

Aston Martin's Canadian driver Lance Stroll takes part in the drivers' parade ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 8, 2026.
Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP via Getty Images

Fernando Alonso was ready to continue Chinese GP if Aston Martin had chance to score points

Speaking further, Krack added that Alonso, despite the vibration issues, was willing to drive the car if it meant Aston Martin had any chance of earning points.

“Alonso was uncomfortable, completing 33 laps that until now we had not completed consecutively. There had already been 19 in the sprint.”

“Fernando already said that if you fight for victory, it is possible to drive, but we were not in that situation, so it was easy to make the decision.”

Alonso lambasted the state of Formula 1 after the race, questioning how four cars could not start. His frustrations with Aston Martin to the side, the veteran driver was clearly unhappy with the current situation.

Aston Martin are hoping to address a majority of their issues during the inadvertent five-week break owing to the cancellations of the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.