George Russell edged out his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to high Chinese Grand Prix apply as the Silver Arrows continued their robust begin to the 2026 season.
In the weekend’s sole apply session before Sprint Qualifying afterward Friday, dwell at 7.30am on Sky Sports F1, Russell’s time of 1:32.741s put him a tenth away from Antonelli on the Shanghai International Circuit.
As was the case on the season-opener in Australia final weekend when Russell led a one-two from Antonelli, Mercedes look like in a league of their very own over one lap, with reigning world champion Lando Norris half a second off the tempo in third and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri a few tenths additional again in fourth.
Ferrari, who had been Mercedes’ nearest challengers in Melbourne, have been disappointingly missing in tempo regardless of operating the rotating ‘macarena’ rear wing that had garnered a lot consideration after being debuted throughout pre-season however not utilized in Australia.
Charles Leclerc was greater than eight tenths off Russell’s main time in fifth, whereas Lewis Hamilton was 1.3s off the tempo in sixth.
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Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz and Bernie Collins take a better take a look at Ferrari’s extremely talked about rear wing design
Hamilton had an eventful begin to the session as he collided with Norris after showing to not see the McLaren trying to come back previous him at Turn 16, before spinning off observe moments later at Turn 6.
The lock-up that preceded the spin flat-spotted Hamilton’s tyres, forcing him to modify onto the tender compound sooner than his rivals and leaving him considerably out of sync for the rest of the session.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was 1.8s off the tempo in eighth, simply behind the Haas of Britain’s Oliver Bearman.
After scoring factors on his F1 debut in Melbourne, British rookie Arvid Lindblad was capable of full simply six laps before a technical challenge pressured the Racing Bulls driver to cease out on observe.
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Racing Bulls’ Arvin Lindblad retires from the Chinese GP first Practice session after simply 5 laps
After a nightmare begin the season, Aston Martin produced a barely improved show as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll mixed for 38 laps, however they nonetheless lacked tempo as the Spaniard’s finest time left him three seconds off the tempo in 18th.
Williams additionally skilled continued issues as Carlos Sainz was prevented from operating for the primary half of the session by a knowledge challenge before managing to get some late laps in.
Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule
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Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place across the Shanghai International Circuit
Friday March 13
6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
6.45am: Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying (session begins at 7.30am)*
Saturday March 14
2.25am: Chinese GP Sprint build-up*
3am: CHINESE GP SPRINT*
4.30am: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
5.30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6.30am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 15
2.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
9am: Chinese GP response: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the primary Sprint weekend of the 2026 season on the Chinese Grand Prix from this Friday, dwell on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
