Russell tops chaotic FP1 in China, as Norris and Hamilton collide
Photo: Race Pictures
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Mercedes continue their early 2026 form thanks to George Russell topping the FP1 timing charts in Shanghai.
The Briton's 1:32.741 was enough to put him P1, with teammate Kimi Antonelli just over a tenth behind in second, and McLaren's Norris completing the top three but but five tenths down.
The first and only practice session was full of action, with Hamilton and Norris seemingly colliding early on. The two were jostling for position on the final corner, with Hamilton noted for causing a collision.
It was the debris from that contact that caused the first VSC, with the second caused by Arvid Lindblad coming to a halt on the long back straight.
Smoke was coming out of the young Briton's cockpit, and his practice was brought to a premature end.
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Max Verstappen seemed to struggle with his RB22, as he finished the session in P8 having been further down for most of the session, the Dutchman's best time was a 1:34.541.
Teammate Hadjar finished down in P13, three tenths off the Dutchman.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz only got 22 minutes of running due to a data issue confirmed to GPblog.
Here are the full results of the first and only free practice session in China:
| Position | Driver | Lap time |
| 1. | George Russell (Mercedes) | 1:32.741 |
| 2. | Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) | 1:32.861 |
| 3. | Lando Norris (McLaren) | 1:33.296 |
| 4. | Oscar Piastri (McLaren) | 1:33.472 |
| 5. | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 1:33.599 |
| 6. | Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) | 1:34.129 |
| 7. | Oliver Bearman (Haas) | 1:34.426 |
| 8. | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | 1:34.541 |
| 9. | Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) | 1:34.639 |
| 10. | Pierre Gasly (Alpine) | 1:34.676 |
| 11. | Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) | 1:34.773 |
| 12. | Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) | 1:34.828 |
| 13. | Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) | 1:34.856 |
| 14. | Esteban Ocon (Haas) | 1:34.877 |
| 15. | Franco Colapinto (Alpine) | 1:34.947 |
| 16. | Alex Albon (Williams) | 1:35.480 |
| 17. | Carlos Sainz (Williams) | 1:35.679 |
| 18. | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) | 1:35.856 |
| 19. | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) | 1:36.057 |
| 20. | Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) | 1:37.224 |
| 21. | Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) | 1:37.896 |
| 22. | Sergio Perez (Cadillac) | 1:39.200 |
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