The opening practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix saw George Russell go fastest. Image: XPB Images
George Russell topped opening practice for the Chinese Grand Prix with a 1m32.741s to lead a Mercedes one-two ahead of rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Lando Norris edged McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri late in the session to secure third, finishing just over half a second off Russell’s benchmark.
Charles Leclerc was fifth for Ferrari ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, while Oliver Bearman impressed in seventh for Haas ahead of Max Verstappen.
Nico Hulkenberg placed ninth for Audi ahead of Pierre Gasly, who rounded out the top 10.
Sprint qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix begins at 3:30pm local time (6:30pm AEDT).
Results: Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, Free Practice 1
Pos.
No.
Driver
Team
Time / Gap
Laps
1
63
George Russell
Mercedes
1:32.741
29
2
12
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
+0.120s
30
3
1
Lando Norris
McLaren
+0.555s
29
4
81
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
+0.731s
28
5
16
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
+0.858s
28
6
44
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
+1.388s
26
7
87
Oliver Bearman
Haas F1 Team
+1.685s
28
8
3
Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing
+1.800s
24
9
27
Nico Hulkenberg
Audi
+1.898s
27
10
10
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
+1.935s
28
11
30
Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
+2.032s
29
12
5
Gabriel Bortoleto
Audi
+2.087s
26
13
6
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull Racing
+2.115s
26
14
31
Esteban Ocon
Haas F1 Team
+2.136s
25
15
43
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
+2.206s
26
16
23
Alexander Albon
Williams
+2.739s
31
17
55
Carlos Sainz
Williams
+2.938s
18
18
14
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
+3.115s
18
19
77
Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac
+3.316s
25
20
18
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
+4.483s
20
21
41
Arvid Lindblad
Racing Bulls
+5.155s
6
22
11
Sergio Perez
Cadillac
+6.459s
13
