McLaren's Lando Norris delivered a masterclass in Friday’s sole practice session ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, setting the benchmark with a lap 0.454s faster than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The Briton’s late-session flyer cemented his dominance, though he admitted to minor errors in the long Turn One that cost him even more time.

Key Takeaways from FP1

• Norris’ Pace: A flawless final sector secured his top spot, with teammate Oscar Piastri (+0.649s) underscoring McLaren’s strong form despite a gravel excursion.
• Ferrari’s Fight: Leclerc split the McLarens, while Lewis Hamilton (+0.691s) edged Mercedes’ George Russell in a mixed showing for the Scuderia.
• Verstappen’s Mystery: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen abandoned a potential fastest lap mid-run, finishing 16th after limited running. Sector analysis suggested he’d have trailed Norris by 0.3-0.4s.
• Track Challenges: Multiple drivers, including Leclerc and Norris, had offs on Shanghai’s new surface, while Alpine’s Jack Doohan triggered a brief red flag with a shutdown.

Sprint Weekend Implications

The session sets the stage for sprint qualifying at 07:30 UK time, shaping the grid for Saturday’s sprint race before traditional GP qualifying. With McLaren and Ferrari showing early strength, Red Bull’s quiet start adds intrigue to the weekend.

Standout Performances

• Best of the Rest: Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) and Alex Albon (Williams) cracked the top seven, outperforming Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
• Struggles: Verstappen’s rare low-key session and Alpine’s reliability woes highlighted the unpredictability of F1’s return to China after five years.

Follow live updates for sprint qualifying as teams refine setups under the new format.