For the first time in five years, Formula 1 has descended on China, hosting the first sprint weekend of the year. The F1 drivers will have just one practice session to get used to the track before starting the sprint shootout.

Max Verstappen has never won the Grand Prix of China. This is not surprising, as Formula 1 has not visited the Shanghai International Circuit since 2019. Due to the corona pandemic, it could not be driven for years. Along with Red Bull Racing, Verstappen is considered the big favourite this weekend.

During free practice, you may notice that the asphalt looks different from normal. This is due to a coating applied after repairs to the track, which eliminated bumps. The painted track caused surprise to several drivers, including Verstappen.

The liveblog for the free practice is provided by the English-language edition of GPblog.

LIVE | Free practice for the Chinese Grand Prix