George Russell Leads 2026 Chinese Grand Prix Practice Session
In a thrilling practice session at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, George Russell secured the top spot, leading a Mercedes one-two finish. Kimi Antonelli followed closely behind, marking a strong performance for the team.
Practice Session Highlights
George Russell excelled during the only practice session before the sprint weekend’s festivities began. He finished more than 0.5 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, the fastest driver not affiliated with Mercedes.
Session Results
- 1. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 3. Lando Norris (McLaren), +0.5 seconds
- 4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), +0.736 seconds
- 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), close behind
- 6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), +1.388 seconds
- 7. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- 8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), +1.8 seconds
Antonelli finished just 0.120 seconds behind Russell. Despite earlier tire issues, Lewis Hamilton managed to finish sixth but revealed that his time was set on older tires following an early spin in the session. Hamilton’s challenge was compounded by a reliability issue that affected his performance.
Technical Innovations
Ferrari showcased their innovative rear wing design. The wing features a flap that opens for straight-line speed by rotating on its axis over 180 degrees, rather than using a traditional flapped mechanism.
Unexpected Incidents
A bizarre incident occurred when Norris and Hamilton made contact at the final corner of the session. The two drivers experienced a minor collision as Hamilton attempted an outside maneuver.
Upcoming Events
Sprint qualifying is set to start at 07:30 UK time, promising more excitement as teams and drivers prepare to compete.
