F1
Chinese GP-EL1: Verstappen dominates a session disrupted by the weather
The rain had already appeared yesterday in China, and the elements, between rain and mist, once again disrupted the start of the weekend in Shanghai.
If the green light was indeed on at 4:00 a.m. French time, the session was quickly interrupted by a first red flag, the medical helicopter being unable to take off in sufficient safety conditions due to poor visibility above the circuit.
More than forty minutes of interruption later, the green flags were able to be deployed, restarting the session for just under 45'. Very quickly, several drivers took to the track, notably the two Haas VF17 of Romain Grosjean et Kevin Magnussen, who will be trapped at turn n°9 on the wet Chinese track.
With intermediate tires, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) quickly sets a benchmark time of 1'50″491 on intermediate tires until Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) makes a mistake and lands in the gravel trap outside turn 3, forcing race management to implement the virtual safety car procedure.
A procedure which will be followed by a new red flag, again due to the impossibility for the medical helicopter to operate due to the cloud ceiling (the local airport having also been closed due to the conditions).
RED FLAG Helicopter unable to operate #ChineseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/UyvjjCbuqP
Less than five minutes from the official end of these FP1, the race management finally decides to stop the session, clearly not very productive for the teams, the greatest number of laps completed being to the credit of Kevin Magnussen with eight laps. Verstappen therefore finished in the lead ahead of the Williams by Felipe Massa and Lance stroll.
Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) follows in fourth position ahead of Romain Grosjean (Haas), Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso), Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo (Redbull), Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Kevin Magnussen who completes the top 10. Only 14 drivers set a time.
The Ferrari de Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen only completed installation laps and did not set a time, just like Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Jolyon Palmer (Renault) and the Force India of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez.
The second free practice session will begin at 8:00 a.m. French time.
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