Rand Norris set the pace to baked towards McLaren’s top practice at China’s Grand Prix ahead of the sprint qualifiers late Friday.
After winning the season opener in Australia last weekend, Britt, who leads the drivers championship, delivered Ferrari’s Charles Leclair at 1:31.504 after nearly half a second.
Oscar Piastri ran wide in the final corner before setting a similar time with McLaren’s teammate Norris, leaving Australia’s third place.
Lewis Hamilton completed a more positive show from Ferrari – fourth in the wake of their surprising Melbourne struggle.
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc made a massive spin on Turn 2 in his only weekend practice session in China.
Hamilton was almost 0.7 seconds from Norris, but unlike the three drivers before him, he didn’t seek a second qualifying simulation in a slightly rushed climax to the session, following the red flag caused by Jack Doohan’s alpine technical failure.
George Russell broke through the timesheet after a medium tie run but ended up in fifth place after failing to improve due to soft tiering efforts.
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen was just 16th in Red Bull after canceling his only attempt on the flying lap.
China’s GP Practice Timesheet
Driver Team Time 1) Landolis McLaren 1:31.504 2) Charles LeClair Ferrari +0.454 3) Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.649 4) Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.691 5) George Russell Mercedes +0.873 6) +1.183 8) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.262 9) Kimian Toneli Mercedes +1.370 10) Yukitsunoda RB +1.430 11) Oliver Bear Manhaas +1.463 12) Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.480 +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)
Sky Sports F1 Live China GP Schedule
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With China’s Grand Prix hosting the first of six sprints this season, Simon Razenby explains why this format is so important
Friday, March 21st
6am: F1 Academy Qualifiers*6.45am: China’s GP Sprint Qualifiers (sessions will start at 7:30am)*
Saturday, March 22nd
2.25am: China GP Sprint Build-Up*3am: China GP Sprint*5.45am: F1 Academy Race 1*6.35am: China GP Qualifier Build-Up*7am: China GP Qualifier*9am: Ted’s Qualifier Notebook*
Sunday, March 23rd
2.40am: F1 Academy Race 25.30am: China GP Build-Up: Grand Prix Sunday *7am: China Grand Prix *9am: China GP Reaction: Checkered Flag *10am: Ted Notebook *
*Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 will be in Shanghai this week on the first sprint weekend of the season at Chinese Grand Prix. Stream Sky Sports Now – No Contract, Cancel Anytime
