George Russell edged out his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to top Chinese Grand Prix practice as the Silver Arrows continued their strong start to the 2026 season.
In the weekend’s sole practice session before Sprint Qualifying later on Friday, live at 7.30am on Sky Sports F1, Russell’s time of 1:32.741s put him a tenth clear of Antonelli at the Shanghai International Circuit.
As was the case at the season-opener in Australia last weekend when Russell led a one-two from Antonelli, Mercedes appear to be in a league of their own over one lap, with reigning world champion Lando Norris half a second off the pace in third and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri a couple of tenths further back in fourth. .
Ferrari, who had been Mercedes’ nearest challengers in Melbourne, were disappointingly lacking in pace despite running the rotating ‘macarena’ rear wing that had garnered much attention after being debuted during pre-season but not used in Australia.
Charles Leclerc was more than eight tenths off Russell’s leading time in fifth, while Lewis Hamilton was 1.3s off the pace in sixth.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz and Bernie Collins take a closer look at Ferrari’s highly talked about rear wing design.
Hamilton had an eventful start to the session as he collided with Norris after appearing to not see the McLaren attempting to come past him at Turn 16, before spinning off track moments later at Turn 6.
The lock-up that preceded the spin flat-spotted Hamilton’s tyres, forcing him to switch onto the soft compound earlier than his rivals and leaving him somewhat out of sync for the remainder of the session.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was 1.8s off the pace in eighth, just behind the Haas of Britain’s Oliver Bearman.
After scoring points on his F1 debut in Melbourne, British rookie Arvid Lindblad was able to complete just six laps before a technical issue forced the Racing Bulls driver to stop out on track.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Racing Bulls’ Arvin Lindblad retires from the Chinese GP first Practice session after just five laps.
After a nightmare start the season, Aston Martin produced a slightly improved display as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll combined for 38 laps, but they still lacked pace as the Spaniard’s best time left him three seconds off the pace in 18th.
Williams also experienced continued problems as Carlos Sainz was prevented from running for the first half of the session by a data issue before managing to get some late laps in.
Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around the Shanghai International Circuit
Friday March 13
6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
6.45am: Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts 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 reaction: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season at the Chinese Grand Prix from this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
