Russell tops chaotic FP1 in China, as Norris and Hamilton collide

20260313-0171
Photo: Race Pictures
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05:32, 13 Mar
Updated: 06:13, 13 Mar
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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.
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 is the full results of the first and only free practice session in China:
PositionDriverLap 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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