The sole free practice session ahead of the forthcoming sprint weekend in China is now complete, and as was the case in Australia, it was Mercedes out in front. George Russell ran without incident and claimed the top spot 0.120s ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Having shown some blistering one-lap pace in Melbourne and fended off Ferrari’s challenge in the race, the Silver Arrows look set to build on their momentum in China.
Ferrari have been the subject of much pitlane gossip thanks to the return of their radical rear wing. First seen during pre-season testing in Bahrain, the wing can rotate 180 degrees when activated, which is expected to reduce straight-line drag. The efficacy of this device remains to be seen, but should it pay dividends, the Scuderia could be one to watch in China, particularly down the massive 1.2-kilometre back straight.
Charles Leclerc ended the session fifth while Lewis Hamilton survived a coming together with Lando Norris at the final corner as well as a spin at turn six to record the sixth fastest time.
Preliminary signs indicate that McLaren will be the second-fastest team, behind Mercedes. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ended the session in third and fourth, respectively, despite both coming unstuck at turn one.
After their strong start in Melbourne, Haas look set to continue their steady progress in China. Ollie Bearman ended the session a fine seventh, one place ahead of Max Verstappen. Despite no major reliability issues, the four-time world champion ended the session eighth, a daunting 1.800s off Russell’s best lap.
Nico Hülkenberg ended the session ninth, ahead of Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon. Having been denied the chance to even contest the Australian Grand Prix due to a mechanical issue, Hülkenberg will be keen to make up for lost time in China. As will Isack Hadjar, whose career-best third-place start fell victim to an engine problem after just 10 laps.
Franco Colapinto endured an uneven free practice. After suffering a spin at turn nine, the Alpine driver lost drive while coming into the pits; his best time was good enough for 15th overall. With mileage an all-important commodity during a sprint weekend, Colapinto could find himself on the back foot going forward.
The two Williams of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz ended the session 16th and 17th, while the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll secured some more vital running and ended FP1 in 18th and 20th. Valtteri Bottas split the pair, while his teammate Sergio Perez ended the session last of the 22 runners. Arvid Lindblad’s FP1 was brought to an early end. The RB driver was forced to pull over with an engine issue after just 15 minutes, meaning he was able to complete just six laps. With this being the only free practice session of the weekend, running time is all-important. Having shone on debut with an impressive eighth-place finish, Lindblad looks set to spend the rest of this weekend on the back foot.
He may be taking “nothing for granted” ahead of this weekend, but if FP1 has been anything to go by, then George Russell and Mercedes appear to have the edge. What remains to be seen is whether or not Ferrari will be able to keep the Silver Arrows in their sights or if McLaren will join the fray.
