Lando Norris sidelined by suspected battery issue as Mercedes faces fresh questions in Monaco. Lando Norris’ Monaco FP2 ended early after a sudden power loss believed to be linked to a battery issue.

New concerns for Mercedes: this time it’s Norris’ McLaren that stops

A suspected battery-related issue forced Lando Norris into the garage for most of the second free practice session in Monaco, raising fresh concerns about Mercedes power unit reliability.

The McLaren World Champion’s afternoon around the streets of Monte Carlo was cut short after a sudden electrical blackout struck his MCL40, leaving him stranded on the exit of the tunnel and bringing his session to an abrupt end.

It was a frustrating setback for Lando Norris, particularly at a circuit where every lap is crucial. Monaco demands maximum track time, allowing drivers to gradually build confidence, refine their references against the barriers and prepare for the all-important qualifying session on Saturday.

According to information gathered by the Italian media, the problem is believed to be linked to the battery system, which suddenly caused a loss of power from the Mercedes power unit. However, McLaren has been careful not to draw definitive conclusions before completing a full investigation once the car is returned to the garage and thoroughly examined.

A new reliability concern for Mercedes?

If the issue is ultimately confirmed to be related to the electrical side of the power unit, it would represent another warning sign for Mercedes to monitor closely.

Just two weeks ago in Canada, George Russell was forced to retire while battling Andrea Kimi Antonelli for victory after suffering a problem of a similar nature, although Mercedes never fully disclosed the exact cause of the failure.

The concerns do not stop there. Earlier this season in China, both McLarens were unable to start the race due to electrical issues connected to the power unit. Meanwhile, in Japan, a battery failure forced the Woking-based team to replace the component on Lando Norris’ car before the weekend continued.

While it remains too early to establish a direct connection between all these incidents, the repeated appearance of electrical-related problems is beginning to attract attention inside the paddock.

Could this be the true Achilles’ heel of the powerful Mercedes engine package? The answer may become clearer once McLaren completes its investigation into the Monaco failure and reveals the exact cause behind Norris’ sudden loss of power.