Chinese GP Practice: Lando Norris sets stunning pace for McLaren ahead of Sprint Qualifying

Lando Norris set a searing pace to top practice for McLaren at the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Sprint Qualifying later on Friday.

The Brit, who leads the Drivers’ Championship after winning the season-opener in Australia last weekend, delivered a 1:31.504 to finish almost half a second clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Oscar Piastri was on course to set a similar time to his McLaren team-mate Norris before running wide in the final corner, which left the Australian third.

Lewis Hamilton completed a more positive showing from Ferrari – following their surprise Melbourne struggles – to take fourth.

Hamilton was almost 0.7s back from Norris, but unlike the three drivers ahead of him, did not go for a second qualifying simulation in a slightly rushed climax to the session following a red flag caused by a technical failure on Jack Doohan’s Alpine.

George Russell had topped the timesheet after medium-tyre running but ended up fifth after failing to improve with his soft-tyre effort.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was only 16th for Red Bull after aborting his only attempt at a flying lap.

Chinese GP Practice Timesheet


Driver	Team	Time
1) Lando Norris	McLaren	1:31.504
2) Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.454
3) Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.649
4) Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.691
5) George Russell	Mercedes	+0.873
6) Nico Hulkenberg	Sauber	+1.003
7) Alex Albon	Williams	+1.183
8) Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1.262
9) Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+1.370
10) Yuki Tsunoda	RB	+1.430
11) Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1.463
12) Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+1.480
13) Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.552
14) Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.619
15) Carlos Sainz	Williams	+1.641
16) Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+1.780
17) Isack Hadjar	RB	+1.881
18) Liam Lawson	Red Bull	+2.127
19) Gabriel Bortoleto	Sauber	+2.318
20) Jack Doohan	Alpine	+2.419

Sky Sports F1’s live Chinese GP schedule

Friday March 21

6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
6.45am: Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 7.30am)*

Saturday March 22

2.25am: Chinese GP Sprint build-up*
3am: Chinese GP Sprint*
5.45am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6.35am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday March 23

2.40am: 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 this week for the first Sprint weekend of the season at the Chinese GP, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime