Russell Leads Mercedes 1–2 in Free Practice Session at Chinese GP
George Russell topped the only practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit, leading a Mercedes one-two ahead of Sprint Qualifying later today.
With the sprint format allowing just one hour of practice, teams rushed to gather data on tyres, energy deployment and car setup before competitive running begins.
Russell set the fastest lap of 1:32.741, finishing 0.120 seconds ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli.
McLaren showed improved pace compared with Australia, with Lando Norris third and Oscar Piastri fourth, while Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and sixth.
The session featured several incidents, including a spin for Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, minor contact between Norris and Hamilton, and a stoppage for Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, who suffered a mechanical issue.
🟡 VSC DEPLOYED 🟡
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2026
Arvid Lindblad pulls off to the side of the track at Turn 14! 😢#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/Sff3h9iHlM
Ferrari also tested its experimental rotating «flip-flop» (or «Macarena») rear wing, designed to reduce drag on the long Shanghai straights.
the macarena wing in action😁 pic.twitter.com/rZZFuKtifh
— em (@seluaimer) March 13, 2026
Top 10 at Chinese GP FP1
- George Russell – Mercedes – 1:32.741
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes (+0.120)
- Lando Norris – McLaren (+0.555)
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren (+0.731)
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari (+0.858)
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari (+1.388)
- Oliver Bearman – Haas
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
- Nico Hulkenberg – Audi
- Pierre Gasly – Alpine
Teams now head into Sprint Qualifying, which will determine the grid for Saturday’s 19-lap Sprint race.
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