Monaco Grand Prix takes another twist as Lando Norris forced to retire from race

Lando Norris has joined Max Verstappen in retiring from the Monaco Grand Prix.

The British driver, who is the reigning F1 champion following his sensational victory in Abu Dhabi last winter, was forced to pull out on the 45th lap.

McLaren had acknowledged that Norris was suffering with a power unit problem in his car.

After pulling into the pit lane, the 26-year-old had no choice but to call it a day.

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Norris had previously suggested his car was back to 'normal pace' before the orders to quit.

And this setback will dent his hopes of another F1 title even further, with the McLaren star already experiencing a difficult campaign.

Norris was nothing short of sensational last season as he clinched the first crown of his career following a dramatic final race in the Middle East.

Ever since the introduction of new regulations, however, the F1 champion has struggled for consistency.

Norris sat in fifth before the day's race, having enjoyed just one podium-placed finish.

Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, as well as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, are all currently ahead of him following the first five races.

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Meanwhile, Norris wasn't the only big-name F1 driver forced out of the proceedings in Monte Carlo.

Earlier in the day, after stalling right at the start of the race, Max Verstappen quit after an issue with his engine.

The Dutchman was visibly angry in the aftermath and vented his fury with an expletive on the team radio.

When quizzed after his withdrawal, Verstappen elaborated on the issue - which will further add to his misery following a nightmare campaign so far.

"Already the formation lap was not going very well and then, after that, the pre-start was terrible, there was no consistency, and then the engine just dropped dead," he said.

"I only got a little bit of power back after the first corner and then the engine sounded really awful.

"I could not go full throttle so we brought it back [to the pits] and that was it."

Both Norris and Verstappen will be hoping their fortunes improve in Barcelona next time out.

That race will take place at the Circuit d Barcelona-Catalunya next Sunday.

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