The F1 Academy Chinese GP Practice session opened the 2026 season at the Shanghai International Circuit. Drivers headed out for the first running of the weekend as the new campaign got underway. The early laps offered a first look at the grid ahead of qualifying.
Last season’s top three, Doriane Pin, Maya Weug and Chloe Chambers, cannot return because of the series’ two-season limit. Returning drivers Alisha Palmowski, Ella Lloyd, Nina Gademan and Alba Larsen are among the top ones to watch, each bringing a full season of F1 Academy experience. Several rookies also make their debut in F1 Academy machinery this weekend. Shanghai’s wild card entry, Shi Wei, also joins the field for this round.
Palmowski finished the session with a 0.4-second advantage over Larsen, while rookie Westcott rounded out the top three.
Wild card entry Shi Wei briefly spun during the session, bringing out the yellow flags. However, she managed to keep the car out of the barriers and safely came back on track.
As the first session of the season, several drivers experienced lock-ups and minor off-track moments, but there were no major incidents during Free Practice at the F1 Academy Chinese GP.
See the full results of the practice session below.
2026 F1 Academy Chinese GP | Free Practice results
- A. Palmowski – 2:04.550
- A. Larsen – 2:05.017
- P. Westcott – 2:05.041
- R. Ferreira – 2:05.176
- L. Billard – 2:05.183
- M. Paatz – 2:05.237
- E. Lloyd – 2:05.298
- E. Felbermayr – 2:05.335
- M. Bruce – 2:05.358
- N. Gademan – 2:05.385
- N. Granada – 2:05.429
- R. Robertson – 2:05.547
- E. Stevens – 2:05.829
- K. Countryman – 2:06.099
- A. Dobson – 2:06.130
- J. Jacquet – 2:06.378
- E. Kosterman – 2:06.399
- W. Shi (WCD) – 2:06.560
