McLaren continued their crusade as the top Constructor on the grid, with Lando Norris setting the benchmark 1:31.504 in the first and only Free Practice (FP1) session of the 2025 Chinese GP. Though he finished second, four and a half-tenths behind, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (1:31.958) showed his team’s positive progress after the Australian GP. Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (1:32.153) finished third, ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton (1:32.195). Mercedes’ George Russell (1:32.195) rounded out the top 5.
A tribute to Eddie Jordan
As news of Eddie Jordan passing sent sadness throughout the paddock, what could be more fitting than a tribute from Aston Martin, whose origins trace back to Jordan Grand Prix. The Silverstone-based team, added a logo of a three-leaf clover, with its top being a heart, engraving Eddie Jordan’s name not only on the car, but in the hearts of fans around the world.
Mercedes sets benchmark
In the early running, Russell sets the first lap on top with a 1:35.184. Piastri joins P2 a hundredth behind, followed by then Verstappen in P3, a tenth behind, with the rest of the pack not that far behind. The top 5 teams are trading fastest laps, partly due to track evolution.
As the session continues, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, and Piastri lead the pack up top with Piastri topping with a 1:33.336. Hamilton then took the top spot on the board 13 minutes in with a 1:33.224 as he continues to find his groove in the Scuderia.
Mercedes continues to overdeliver during the course of the practice, with Russell topping the timesheets with a 1:32.377.
Track resurface causes low grip
With the track completely resurfaced, drivers are experiencing low grip, with Lawson going completely wide into Turn 9, causing a quick trip to the gravel. Other drivers such as Lando Norris and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly are going wide as well due to the grip.
Onto the runs in the second half, Leclerc and Piastri inched closer to Russell, with Leclerc on a 1:32.701 and Piastri with a 1:32.809. However, 40 minutes in, Leclerc lost the rear into Turn 3, and spun. No damage.
Doohan’s car stops, jeopardising the session
47 minutes in, Jack Doohan’s Alpine has stopped going into Turn 11. Doohan reported a power steering issue, This caused the car to turn off, causing a six-minute red flag.
After the track reopened, the rest of the pack opted for the softs to make final qualifying runs. Leclerc set the time with five minutes left in practice with a 1:32.103, Norris slotting in five-hundredths behind, then Hamilton, nine-hundredths behind. Russell was not able to improve his time.
On their final qualifying run, Norris was able to find himself five-tenths up with a 1:31.504 after making small corrections. Leclerc was able to improve his lap but still behind Norris by a sizable four-tenths.
Catch-up on the rest of the grid
Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg finishes 6th in practice with a 1:32.507. Williams’ Albon (1:32.687) slots in 7th with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (1:32.766) in 8th. Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli (1:32.874) rounds out his only practice session in 9th. Tsunoda (1:32.934) places himself 10th on the timing sheets.
Haas’ driver Oliver Bearman (1:32.967) finished the session 11th, closely followed by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (1:32.984) in 12th and Bearman’s teammate Esteban Ocon (1:33.056) in 13th. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (1:33.123) finished 14th, ahead of Carlos Sainz (1:33.145) in 15th.
Verstappen (1:33.284) finished 16th after opting to abort his lap on the softs in the waning minutes of the race. VCARB’s Isack Hadjar (1:33.385) comes in 17th, ahead of Verstappen’s teammate Liam Lawson (1:33.631) in 18th, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto in 19th, and finally, Alpine’s Jack Doohan (1:33.923) whose car gave out during the session.
