Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri out of Chinese Grand Prix alongside two other drivers

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had a nightmare start to the Chinese Grand Prix as they are among four drivers who were ruled out of race before it got underway.

On Saturday morning, the Formula One grid competed in the first sprint race of the season at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Following his impressive win in the Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell won the sprint race ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Later in the day, Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver to claim pole position as he secured a P1 start for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.

However, before the race even got underway there was drama as McLaren pair Piastri and Norris were confirmed to be out of the race alongside two other drivers.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are out of the Chinese GP. (Image: Joe Portlock/Getty Images)

During qualifying on Saturday, Piastri secured a P5 start for Sunday's race with a fastest lap time of 1:32.550, with his teammate behind in sixth with a 1:32.608 lap.

But unfortunately for both men, their efforts during qualifying were for naught as just seconds before the Chinese Grand Prix got underway, it was confirmed that both men would not be starting the race.

As it stands, it is not known exactly what has ruled the McLaren pair out of the race, with Sky Sports reporting claiming that two completely different electrical issues were identified before the start.

With Piastri withdrawing just before the formation lap began, it marks the second consecutive Grand Prix that Piastri has been forced to withdraw from after the Australian missed his home race in the season opener last week after crashing into the wall on his way to the grid.

Alex Albon is also out of the Chinese Grand Prix. (Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Norris and Piastri join Williams' star Alex Albon and Audi's Bortoleto as the four drivers not to make it to the start of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Williams revealed that the reason why Albon did not race was because they identified a hydraulic issue on his car and weren't able to fix the issues and retired the car.

Although it is yet to be confirmed, it is believed that hydraulic issues are what also prevented Bortoleto from starting the race.