F1 Results Today: Mercedes dominant again at Chinese Grand Prix as Ferrari slip back

Russell, Leclerc, socials — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

F1 Results Today: Mercedes dominant again at Chinese Grand Prix as Ferrari slip back

All the times from Chinese Grand Prix practice

Originally written by Chris Deeley. This version is a translation.

Friday 13 March 2026 05:56

Mercedes dominated the timing boards again in the only practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday in Shanghai.

However, there were yet more concerning reliability issues for some teams – although not for the so-far bulletproof Silver Arrows duo.

McLaren's two drivers were third and fourth fastest, while Charles Leclerc managed to keep the papaya cars relatively honest (if not the Silver Arrows). Lewis Hamilton, though, could only set a lap time more than half a second back from his team-mate, and nearly a second and a half down on Russell, after a session which started off in sketchy style – getting close to Lando Norris and spinning out, flat-spotting his tyres.

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Max Verstappen, meanwhile, could only go eighth fastest.

Williams could only get Carlos Sainz's car going in the final 25 minutes, citing 'data issues', but matters were even worse for Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, who pulled up at the side of the track just 15 minutes in with smoke coming from his cockpit.

Also, Franco Colapinto stopped dead in the pitlane for about a minute for unclear reasons, before getting his car going again just before his crew of sprinting mechanics reached him. Which was funny.

Chinese Grand Prix FP1 times

Chinese Grand Prix Practice Results
Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	George Russell	Mercedes	1:32.741
2	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.120s
3	Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.555s
4	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.731s
5	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.858s
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+1.388s
7	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1.685s
8	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+1.800s
9	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.898s
10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.935s
11	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+2.032s
12	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+2.087s
13	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+2.115s
14	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+2.136s
15	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+2.206s
16	Alex Albon	Williams	+2.739s
17	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2.938s
18	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+3.115s
19	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+3.316s
20	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+4.483s
21	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+5.155s
22	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+6.459s