China - EL1: Lando Norris hits hard from the start

The Briton set the fastest time in the only free practice session of the Chinese GP, thanks to a blistering lap at the end of the time trial. The McLarens made a strong impression.

Published 21/03/2025 à 05:33

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China – EL1: Lando Norris hits hard from the start

@DPPI

With only one hour of running time before the first qualifying session of the weekend, it was best to get into the swing of things quickly in Shanghai. The drivers were able to take advantage of much brighter weather conditions than in Melbourne to drive on a circuit resurfaced for the occasion. The beginning of the session was dedicated to everyone's reconnaissance of the track, and even a discovery for the rookies, who had never driven there in the promotional formulas. Yuki tsunoda quickly pointed out the good grip of the asphalt, which was reflected in a time that was already significantly faster than last year in qualifying.

On the medium tyres, used during the first three quarters of the session, George Russell blew everyone away by getting ahead Charles Leclerc, his closest pursuer, by three tenths. The Briton, however, lost his first place at the end of the session when all the drivers switched to soft tires, this time to the benefit of the Monegasque, who was faster by only 0 seconds better than Lando Norris and 0″092 better than his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Norris, winner of the first Grand Prix of the season in Australia, was a little short of setting the fastest time. Slightly annoyed by a small mistake made at turn 8, the number 4 set off on a second flying lap, which this time left no room for doubt: with a lead of more than 0 seconds over the Ferrari Charles Leclerc's Lando Norris confirmed the expected domination of his MCL39 at the start of the season.

Jack Doohan was missing at the end of the session, having suffered a sound failure. Alpine, whose engine suddenly cut out. The red flag was briefly brought out, but the drivers were able to get back on track quickly. In terms of minor scares, Charles Leclerc spun in the endless first corner and Lando Norris also had a very close call at the same point, but neither driver damaged their cars.

At Red Bull, Max Verstappen cut his effort at the end of the session, while he was in the match with the best on the first two sectors, which explains his abnormally distant ranking. On the other hand, his teammate Liam Lawson was much more in difficulty throughout Free Practice 1, stagnating at the bottom of the ranking from start to finish. However, let's remember that the Kiwi was discovering the circuit.